1984 Map of Gillespie

About this map

Gillespie and the Crag (Site) represent the sparse but vital human footprint across this arid Maricopa County corridor in the early 1980s. The landscape is dominated by the prominent peaks of the Yellow Medicine Hills, the Rose Hills, and the Palo Verde Hills, which frame a complex network of seasonal drainages including Centennial Wash and Winters Wash. The infrastructure of the era is clearly visible, with the Southern Pacific railroad line and a large-scale gas pipeline traversing the basin. Water management is a primary theme of the map, evidenced by remote infrastructure like the Petterson Tank and several strategically placed wells, such as the Desert Farms Well No 1 and Galleta Well, which supported local ranching and mining efforts near landmarks like Black Butte and the Butte Mine.