1957 Map of Avondale SE

About this map

The Sierra Estrella dominates this landscape, rising sharply from the desert floor to form a prominent topographic barrier between the Rainbow Valley and the Gila River basin. In the early 1970s, the northern edge of these Estrella Mountains transitioned from remote desert to recreational and sporting uses, notably with the establishment of the Phoenix International Raceway. The map documents the interface between the Estrella Mountain Regional Park and the Gila River Indian Reservation Boundary, tracing the natural course of the Gila River before significant modern channelization and suburban expansion reached this reach. Land surveyors and historians can trace the Gila and Salt River Meridian as it cuts through the mountains, while numerous Jeep Trails and a Pipe Line suggest early utility and exploration routes through Corgett Wash.