1962 Map of Cortez Peak

About this map

Centennial Farms and isolated desert outposts like Desert-Ho Ranch anchor this arid landscape within the Harquahala Mountains and the Gila Bend foothills. The region's geography is defined by a series of dry washes, most notably Centennial Wash and Fourth of July Wash, which dictate the placement of numerous wells and early desert tracks. The terrain transitions from the jagged peaks of Saddle Mountain and Cortez Peak to the flat, surveyed plains marked by the Base Line. Resource extraction is evident along the eastern mountain flanks, where the Palo Verde Mine, Dixie Mine, and Jackpot Mine indicate the mineral interests of the mid-20th century. Infrastructure including a prominent Aqueduct and Pipeline reflect the critical importance of water management in this high-desert environment during the 1960s.