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1948 Map of Elgin

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Elgin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The high desert grasslands of southern Arizona are captured here in the late 1940s, centered on the small rail-side community of Elgin. The landscape is dominated by the sprawling San Ignacio del Babocomari grant, where the Babocomari River meanders through the flats. This area represents a classic cattle-ranching economy of the era, defined by a network of family-held properties such as Putnam Ranch, Star King Ranch, and Heavner Ranch.

Transportation is anchored by the Southern Pacific railroad, which parallels the river and provides a vital link for the scattered outposts. Water is the most critical resource on this map, evidenced by the numerous isolated Windmill sites and Water Tank labels that supported both livestock and steam locomotives. From the northern reaches of Cienega Creek to the southern depths of Vaughn Canyon, the map provides a clear picture of the land-use patterns in Santa Cruz County before modern development.