1956 Map of Chandler Heights

About this map

The Gila River Indian Reservation covers the southern half of this mid-century landscape, dominated by the prominent peaks of Santan Mountain, the Goldmine Mountains, and the Malpais Hills. To the north, the transition from high desert to structured agriculture is evident in the grid of irrigation and transport. Chandler Heights stands as a focal point of development, featuring a planned grid of streets like Santan Boulevard and Citrus Heights Road. The map documents the critical role of water management in the arid Pinal and Maricopa County borderlands, noting the Roosevelt Canal and several protective levee structures. Local landmarks such as Rock Peak and The Gap provide navigation points through the desert terrain, while the Southern Pacific railroad and a network of landing strips suggest the era's reliance on diverse transport for this agricultural and mining region.