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1981 Map of Esperanza Mill

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Esperanza Mill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Industrial mineral extraction and ranching history converge within the San Ignacio de la Canoa land grant. The massive footprint of the Sierrita Mine and its accompanying Mine Dump dominate the northwestern terrain, supported by the Esperanza Mill and a sprawling Tailings Pond. This landscape of high-output copper mining is interconnected by a specialized transportation network, including the Duval Mine Road and a Southern Pacific rail line that parallels the Santa Cruz River valley.

In the eastern reaches, the growing community of Green Valley sits near the historical Canoa Ranch. The arid environment is defined by a complex system of drainage washes, such as Amargosa Wash and Esperanza Wash, and a network of essential water infrastructure including the Ball Tank and Hollywood Tank. The presence of an Aqueduct and numerous wells underscores the vital role of water management in sustaining both the industrial operations and the residential developments at the edge of the Santa Cruz valley.