1956 Map of Buckhorn

About this map

The Salt River defines the northern boundary of this landscape, marking the transition from the Salt River Indian Reservation into the rugged southern foothills of the Usery Mts. Extensive citrus groves and agricultural developments appear in the west, contrasted by the emerging mid-century residential clusters of Sunshine Acres and Harmony Villa. Aviation plays a central role in the local economy and geography, with Falcon Field, Oasis Airport, and Gilbert Airfield all present. Near the junction of the Apache Trail and Bush Highway, a unique cultural detail emerges with both an Amphitheater (Aban'd) and a new Amphitheater (Under Construction) plotted near the Mountain View Cem. Grounded in a 1955 aerial survey, the map shows a sophisticated network of canals and power lines supporting the desert's mid-century expansion.