1956 Map of Desert Well

About this map

Desert Well stands as a focal point in this mid-century desert landscape along the border of Maricopa and Pinal counties. The terrain is defined by complex water management and military operations, featuring a long Diversion Dike designed to control the flow of intermittent waters like Siphon Draw and Weekes Wash. Aviation and defense infrastructure are prominent, with the Rittenhouse Air Force Auxiliary Field in the southeast and the large expanse of the Desert Proving Grounds to the west. These features, alongside isolated sites like Anderson Ranch and Hawk Rock, illustrate a period when this arid region was being heavily utilized for both agricultural ranching and large-scale government testing and training facilities.