1986 Map of Deadman Gap

About this map

Luke Air Force Range dominates this southwestern Arizona landscape, reflecting the mid-20th-century expansion of military training grounds in the Sonoran Desert. The map captures a largely arid and unpopulated expanse where topographic features like the Crater Range and the Sauceda Mountains provide the primary landmarks for navigation. The namesake Deadman Gap serves as a natural corridor between the volcanic heights of the Crater Range and the lower reaches of Childs Valley, illustrating how geology dictated movement through these desert flats. Evidence of human presence is sparse and functional, concentrated at the small settlement of Midway and the White Tank water source. A solitary Corral and scattered 4wd tracks trace the minimal infrastructure used for ranching or military patrols, while Midway Wash cuts a seasonal drainage path across the basin toward the Maricopa and Pima county line.