1972 Map of Gisela

About this map

Tonto Creek carves a deep path through this portion of the Tonto National Forest, shaping a landscape of high mesas and remote canyons in central Arizona. The settlement of Gisela serves as a small hub in this backcountry, situated near several historic cattle operations including the H Bar Ranch and the Seventy Six Ranch. This 1970s survey captures the area when cattle ranching and small-scale mining, such as the Pittsburg Tonto Mine, still dictated the local economy and land use. To the east, the rising slopes of the Sierra Ancha tower over the valley, while landmarks like Black Mountain and the Cocomunga Curry Basin define the northern horizons. The map reveals the vital importance of water in this arid environment, evidenced by numerous improved water sources like Bassett Tank, Mud Spring, and the Boone Moore Well scattered across the rugged terrain.