1971 Map of Calderwood Butte

About this map

Agua Fria River cuts a wide, braided path through the center of this 1971 orthophotoquad, serving as a stark dividing line between the arid desert terrain and the burgeoning suburban development of the West Valley. This aerial perspective, captured just before the explosive growth of the late 20th century, shows the early footprints of Sun City and Surprise. The map reveals a transition in land use, where traditional agricultural plots and desert scrub are being overtaken by the characteristic circular and grid-like street patterns of retirement communities and residential subdivisions. To the north, the prominent silhouette of Calderwood Butte rises above the valley floor, providing a fixed natural landmark amidst a landscape undergoing rapid human transformation.