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1986 Map of Clifton

Name: 1986 Topographic Map of Clifton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Industrial scale meets high desert topography where the massive Morenci Open Pit dominates the landscape near the town of Clifton. This mid-1980s data highlights the sprawling mining complex and its associated infrastructure, including a substantial Tailings Pond and the nearby settlement of Stargo. The surrounding terrain transitions from the high Nantac Rim and Nananes Plateau to the river valleys that have shaped human activity in the region for centuries.

Major waterways such as the Black River, Gila River, and San Francisco River cut through the mountains, while the Southern Pacific railroad provides a critical link for the mineral wealth of the district. Beyond the industrial core, the map covers the vast reaches of the San Carlos Indian Reservation and Apache National Forest, providing a detailed look at remote outposts like Point of Pines and the farming community of Fort Thomas along the river.