1973 Map of Cotton Center

About this map

The Gila River corridor dominates this desert landscape, serving as a vital artery for agricultural development and historic transit in Maricopa County. The settlement of Cotton Center is situated along Old U S Highway Eighty, which runs parallel to the Gila Bend Canal, reflecting the region's reliance on managed water systems and traditional road networks. To the west, the Gila Bend Mountains rise sharply, dissected by features like Red Rock Canyon, while the southern portion of the sheet reveals deeper layers of history within the Gila Bend Indian Reservation. The presence of Petroglyphs and the Butterfield Stage Route indicates this area's long-standing importance as a cultural and transportation passage. Scattered Ruins and numerous named wells, such as Poyner Water and Rad Water, further document the human effort to inhabit and navigate this arid environment.