Month: March 2016

This image is of the formation known as Bell Rock, a butte near the town of Sedona, Arizona.

The description states:
C646–BELL ROCK, LOWER OAK CREEK CANYON
One of the outstanding rock formations in this beautifully colored valley is Brilliant Bell Rock.
—Buttes are steep sided formations exposed by erosion often containing small flat tops. Larger flat topped formations are called mesas. This formation is located in the center of Arizona.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the natural formation that developed from erosion, creating the opening in the rock. It is the site of the  Navajo national capital, and is known in English as Window Rock.

The description states:
K2–WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA
Below this window rock is the location of the Central Navajo indian Agency.
–Since the time of this photo the Agency has been rededicated as a national capitol. The rock is one of the four places nearby used in Navajo water ceremonies.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the typical terrain and depositions of logs that make up the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

The description states:
C649–PETRIFIED FOREST, ARIZONA
Logs of rock are a never-ending source of interest to visitors in the Petrified Forest National Monument, located near U.S. Highway 66 in eastern Arizona.
–For a long period of time travelers would stop along their way and collect samples large and small of the fossilized wood. Once the area was protected as a national monument (and later park) such collecting was prohibited, and samples are gathered from nearby areas instead.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the cliff-side face and elevation of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the buttes near Sedona, Arizona.

The description states simply:
CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS
SEDONA, ARIZONA
–The building was erected in 1956. This image likely dates from shortly after completion.

This image shows the Meteor Crater in Arizona, featuring the main impact zone at the center of the bottom.

The description states:
L486
THE GREAT METEOR CRATER OF ARIZONA;
diameter 4150 ft., depth 570 ft. Showing the floor of the Crater with desert vegetation and remnants of the first explorative works started in 1903.
–The crater was once believed to have enormous profitable iron deposits but the exploratory works, visible here, did not reveal any concentration of deposits that could be economically extracted.
This card likely from the 1950s.

This image shows the near and far rim of the crater formed by a meteor impact, known as Meteor Crater now.

The description is fragmentary, but the best interpretation states:
THE GREAT METEORITE CRATER
In Norther Arizona, North of Route 66. Many centuries ago, millions of tons of metal struck from the sky at a speed between 8 and 48 miles per second to plow through fifteen hundred feet of solid rock and form an enormous crater which after centuries of erosion is still 570 feet deep and over 4000 feet across.
–Also visible in the foreground of the picture is a visitors center which provides views of the crater, an interpretive center and access to the bottom..
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows several huge saguaro cactus neatly framing the Superstition Mountains, ostensible site of the legendary Lost Dutchman Gold Mine.

The description states:
SAGUARO CACTUS,
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN
The graceful, sentinel-like saguaro cacti present scenes of sombre beauty. Mysterious Superstition Mountain, on U. S. Highway 60-70, is the subject of many enchanting legends of early-day adventure.
–This picture likely dates from the 1950s.