1965 Map of Aztec NW

About this map

The Gila River meanders through this arid landscape, creating a band of vegetation between the Hyder Valley to the north and Park Valley to the south. This mid-1960s survey documents a transition in land use, where traditional desert landmarks like the Palomas ruins and Baragan Well contrast with the industrial presence of the Southern Pacific railroad and a modern Landing Strip at the White Wing Ranch. Evidence of water management is visible in the network of canals and ditches, including the South Ditch, which attempt to harness the river's flow for the surrounding plains. To the east of the river's bend, prominent Sand Dunes and The Lagoon mark the natural topography, while the Palomas Harquahala Road serves as a primary north-south artery through the desert flats.