1946 Map of Avondale

About this map

The Sierra Estrella mountains dominate the southern landscape, creating a stark contrast to the burgeoning agricultural and military infrastructure of the Salt River Valley in the mid-1940s. Centered on the town of Coldwater, which served as the post office for Avondale, the map documents an era of significant transition. Military installations like the U S Naval Air Facility and Litchfield Airport underscore the region's importance during the war years. Irrigation is the lifeblood of this desert economy, visible through the extensive network of the Roosevelt Irrigation District Canal and the Gila River. Rural life is anchored by local institutions such as Littleton Sch, Union Sch, and the Ayondale Farm Labor Supply Center. The map also captures the critical Initial Point, the surveying origin for the Gila and Salt River Meridian and Base Line.