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1962 Map of Kofa Butte

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Kofa Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Kofa Mountains geology and mining history dominate this mid-century survey of the Arizona desert. The map captures a landscape defined by industrial extraction, featuring a cluster of significant claims such as the North Star Mine, King of Arizona Mine, and the Black Dahlia Mine. These sites are concentrated near the southern reaches of the range, supported by a network of ephemeral water sources like Kofa Dam Wash and Yaqui Wash. Evidence of earlier human presence is noted at the Petroglyphs site near Alamo Spring, while the presence of a Cemetery near the primary mining group suggests the permanence of these remote operations during their peak years.

Transportation through the Ranegras Plain and Palomas Plain relied on rugged paths such as Hovatter Road and the Engesser Pass Road. The desert interior is punctuated by landmarks like the distinct Kofa Butte and Polaris Mountain, providing orientation across the Kofa Game Range. Numerous small water control features, including Owl Head Dam and Crowder Dam, illustrate the critical efforts to manage resources in this arid territory.