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1958 Map of Benson

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Benson
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

The San Pedro River valley defines the character of this mid-century landscape, where the agricultural community of Pomerene and the regional hub of Benson sit at the intersection of river, rail, and road. This 1958 field-checked survey highlights a period of Cold War era infrastructure, noted by an Airway Beacon and a newly built Benson Airport, alongside local leisure spots like a Drive-in Theater and a Swimming Pool.

To the west, the Whetstone Mountains dominate the terrain within the Coronado National Forest, rising to heights at Apache Peak and Granite Peak. The slopes are dotted with evidence of earlier prospecting and ranching, including the Lone Star Mine, the Ricketts Mine, and numerous cattle operations such as the Jay Six Ranch and Williams Ranch. The Southern Pacific railroad remains a vital corridor, skirting the northern edge of the range near Mescal while several pipelines cut across the high desert floor.