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1979 Map of Estrella

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Estrella
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The Maricopa Mountains dominate this 1979 survey, rising sharply above the desert floor and defining the topography of this arid landscape. Along the northern edge of the range, the Southern Pacific railroad corridor serves as the primary artery for travel and transport, linking small trackside points such as Estrella and Shawmut. These locations, along with Ocopos, represent the sparse but vital settlement pattern typical of the western Arizona desert during the late twentieth century, where development was dictated by rail access and water availability.

To the south, the terrain softens into the drainage of Bender Wash, which cuts across the southwestern corner of the quadrangle. The map captures a moment before significant modern expansion, focusing instead on the relationship between high peaks like Big Horn and the infrastructure of the rail line. For the researcher, this sheet provides a clear record of elevation and natural landmarks that have long guided movement through this portion of Maricopa County.