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1956 Map of Buckhorn

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Buckhorn
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Falcon Field and the surrounding desert landscape north of Mesa are captured in this mid-century survey, which reveals the transition from open ranch land to residential developments. The map illustrates a complex network of irrigation and water management, featuring the Salt River, the Southern Canal, and the Roosevelt Canal. These lifelines supported early communities such as Sunshine Acres and Buckhorn, located along the historic Apache Trail.

To the northeast, the terrain rises into the Usery Mts and the Tonto National Forest. Distinctive peaks like Thunder Mtn, Stone Mtn, and Spook Hill provide natural landmarks against the expanding grid of Mesa. Local historical details include the Arizona Girls Ranch and the Granite Reef Estates, offering a look at the mid-20th-century footprint of the Salt River Valley before late-century urban expansion.