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1996 Map of Helvetia

Name: 1996 Topographic Map of Helvetia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2002
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2002

About this map

Mining history and ranching life define this section of Pima County, where the remnants of several late-19th and early-20th century mining operations are scattered across the landscape. The Helvetia settlement and the nearby Helvetia Cem serve as focal points for local history, illustrating the boom-and-bust cycle of Arizona copper mining. Numerous named mines including the Bulldozer Mine, Copper World Mine, and Wisconsin Mine are concentrated near the northern peaks, while Greaterville occupies the southeastern corner.

The map reveals a transition from the industrial activity at the high elevations of the Coronado National Forest and Mount Wrightson Wilderness to the lower rangelands. The Santa Rita Experimental Range occupies the central valley, marked by ranching infrastructure like the Santa Rita Ranch and the Florida Work Center. This area is characterized by intermittent drainages such as Box Canyon Wash and Sawmill Canyon Wash, which supported the seasonal water needs of the mines and homesteads.