1929 Map of Aztec

About this map

Agua Caliente and the Gila River corridor define this desert landscape during a period of transition for Southwestern irrigation and transport. The map highlights the efforts to manage water in the arid environment, noting the Farmers Canal (Abandoned) and an Abandoned Canal near Sears Point, signifying early agricultural attempts that preceded the more established routes. Movement through the region is centered on the Southern Pacific railroad and U. S. Road 80, which connect small settlements like Aztec and Stanwix. The geography varies from the level San Cristobal Valley in the south to the prominent Agua Caliente Mountains in the north. Local landmarks such as Baragans Well and the Ironwood Ranch provide evidence of early 20th-century ranching and desert habitation, while features like The Lagoon and Sentinel Wash trace the natural drainage of the Gila basin.