1952 Map of Gila Butte

About this map

The Gila River Indian Reservation dominates this 1950s landscape, where the Gila River provides a lifeline for desert agriculture. This map captures a pivotal moment of irrigation development in Pinal and Maricopa counties, showing the intricate network of the Consolidated Canal, Eastern Canal, and the East Branch. The infrastructure of the Southern Pacific railroad parallels the river, connecting small settlements and rail stops like Ocotillo, Serape, and Stotonic. Educational and community hubs such as St Peters Mission Sch and the Santan Day Sch are clearly marked, alongside the prominent landmark of Gila Butte. The transition from rural homesteading to organized irrigation is visible through the grid of roads like Rittenhouse Road and Hunt Highway, which cut through the open desert terrain.