1958 Map of Empire Mountains

About this map

Empire Mountains and the northern slopes of the Santa Rita Mountains dominate this 1958 landscape, a territory defined by high-desert ranching and a legacy of hard-rock mining. The iconic Empire Ranch serves as a central hub, surrounded by smaller holdings like Andrada Ranch and High Haven Ranch, illustrating the sparse but organized settlement patterns of Pima County. Notable for its concentration of mineral prospects, the map labels several operations including the Total Wreck Mine, California Mine, and Helena Mine tucked into the canyons. In the southern reaches, the mining camp of Greaterville appears near Empire Sch, marking the transition into the Coronado National Forest. In the north, the Southern Pacific railroad cuts through the terrain near Mescal, passing over the Amole Overpass and beneath the Pantano Underpass near the waters of Cienega Creek.