1955 Map of Dome

About this map

Gila River waters define the southern edge of this desert landscape, where the historic Butterfield Stage Route and the Southern Pacific railroad corridor intersect at the small settlement of Dome. The map illustrates a complex network of dry washes, including Castle Dome Wash and Vinegarroon Wash, draining the southern slopes of the Muggins Mountains and the heights of Klothos Temple. To the north, the Castle Dome Plain stretches across the Yuma Test Station military area, punctuated only by a lone County Well and scattered towers. This survey captures a moment of transition where traditional overland travel routes and early irrigation efforts like the Dome Canal met the expanding military and industrial infrastructure of the mid-20th century.