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1949 Map of Black Mountain

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Black Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

Black Mountain and the southern reaches of the Tortilla Mountains define this arid landscape in Pinal County. The area reflects a post-war ranching economy centered on scattered water sources and isolated homesteads. Several locations are identified only as former habitations, including Barkerville (Site), Old Finch Ranch (Site), and Rincon Ranch (Site), marking the transition of the range from active settlements to historical sites.

Ephemeral drainages such as Bloodsucker Wash and Tipperary Wash wind through the desert floor, where transportation was limited to the unpaved Haystack Road and Barkerville Road. Family-named landmarks like Haydon Ranch, Inglish Ranch, and The Ruiz point to the local genealogy of the region. Evidence of mineral exploration appears in several unnamed mines and the Jewell Well, highlighting the sparse but persistent human efforts to work this dry interior.