1971 Map of Laveen

About this map

Gila River meanders through the landscape of Maricopa and Pinal counties, carving a broad, textured channel across the southwestern desert. This 1971 orthophotomosaic, created from aerial photography, provides a literal visual record of the era's agricultural patterns and natural terrain. The grid-like fields of the Laveen community stand in sharp contrast to the braided riverbed and the brush-covered slopes of the nearby mountains. To the southeast, the settlement of Komatke appears as a small cluster of structures and roads bordering the river, illustrating the historical reliance on water sources for habitation in this arid region. The high-contrast imagery highlights the transition between irrigated farm plots and the undisturbed desert wash, capturing a moment of development just south of the Phoenix metropolitan area.