1968 Map of Christmas

About this map

The Christmas settlement and its industrial landscape define this 1960s study of the Gila Co Pinal Co border. Mining activity is central to the area, evidenced by the large Tailings Pond, a Conveyor, and several remote operations including Two Queens Mine and Pooles Mine. The Gila River cuts a deep path through the terrain, separating the Dripping Spring Mts from Lee Mountain and the Porphyry Granite Basin. The map captures a transition between the established ranching life at Young Ranch and Reese Ranch and the specialized extraction economy of the mid-century. High-elevation features like The Tablelands and Corral Mountain overlook a network of Jeep Trails and a Pack Trail leading toward the Old Mill (Ruin) at Little Gold Gulch, reflecting the region's rugged accessibility and history of prospecting.