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1960 Map of Bylas

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Bylas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The Gila Valley serves as a vital corridor for transportation and settlement in the early 1960s, defined by the parallel routes of the Southern Pacific railroad and U.S. 70. The San Carlos Indian Reservation encompasses much of this landscape, where the Gila River winds through desert terrain. Small communities like Bylas and Geronimo anchor the valley, while the presence of the Fort Thomas Ward Cemetery and Hinton Cemetery provides essential records for genealogical research.

Beyond the river bottom, the land rises into significant peaks and basins, including Mt Turnbull and the Beargrass Basin. The map captures a transition in land use, from the traditional pastoral setting of Indian Spring Goat Camp and the Diamond Bar Ranch to industrial activity at the Mescal Pit. Numerous springs and tanks, such as Cane Springs and Steer Springs, highlight the critical importance of water management in this arid Arizona environment.