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1959 Map of Canador Peak

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Canador Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

The Gila River cuts through the high desert of the New Mexico-Arizona border, defining a landscape of irrigation and mineral extraction in the late 1950s. Near the settlement of Virden, the New Model Canal and Sunset Canal illustrate the vital water infrastructure necessary for ranching and agriculture in this arid terrain. The map reveals the distribution of isolated homesteads and livestock operations, such as Fuller Ranch and Backer Ranch, which are connected by a network of unimproved roads and a Jeep Trail.

Mining activity is concentrated in the mountainous ridges, with several named operations including the Consolation Mine, Constellation Mine, and Cliff Boy Mine located north of Lordsburg Mesa. The presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad along the southern edge and a prominent Pipeline running through the center highlights the region's role as a transit corridor for energy and industrial goods during the mid-century.