1963 Map of Diaz Peak

About this map

The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and the Papago Indian Reservation meet in this arid landscape along the United States-Mexico border. The terrain is defined by the stark verticality of the Ajo Range, featuring landmarks like Diaz Peak and Diaz Spire. Between these heights, expansive lowlands such as Barajita Valley and the Sonoyta Valley provide natural corridors, though water is the primary concern for any inhabitant. The map records critical water sources including Menagers Lake, Blankenship Well, and Adams Well. Human presence is clustered at Ali Chuk, Sweetwater, and Ali Ak Chin, where the presence of a Cem (cemetery) and scattered Jeep Trails suggest the persistent, remote life of Pima County's borderlands. The intricate drainage network of Pia Oik Wash and Sweetwater Wash highlights the seasonal hydrology that has shaped cattle ranching and indigenous settlement patterns in this part of the Sonoran Desert.