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1960 Map of Fort Thomas

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Fort Thomas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

Fort Thomas serves as the focal point of this desert landscape, situated along the Southern Pacific railroad and the Gila Valley in the 1960s. The settlement's history is anchored by several burial grounds, including the Fort Thomas Cem and the McEuen Cem, while the Colvin-Jones road and a nearby Landing Strip provide a glimpse into mid-century transportation patterns. The surrounding terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes, from the level Ash Flat to the north to the prominent Gila Peak and Slaughter Mtn.

Resource extraction and water management characterize the more remote sections of the San Carlos Indian Reservation. Named operations like the Day Mine and Head-of-Day Mine indicate the area's mineral interests, while a vast network of water sources such as Ninemile Tank, Paymaster Tank, and Teague Spring reveal the vital infrastructure required for ranching or survival in this arid territory. The mapping of The Narrows and various named canyons like Deadman Canyon showcases the complex drainage systems leading toward the Gila River.