1952 Map of Gila Butte

About this map

Gila Butte rises prominently above the valley floor, serving as a landmark within the Gila River Indian Reservation Boundary during the mid-20th century. The landscape is defined by the contrast between organized agricultural development north of the Hunt Highway and the more traditional settlement patterns along the Gila River to the south. Extensive irrigation infrastructure, including the Eastern Canal and the Consolidated Canal, supported the cotton and citrus fields of Ocotillo and Hamilton Corner, while the Southern Pacific railroad provided the vital connection to regional markets.