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1915 Map of Maricopa

Name: 1915 Topographic Map of Maricopa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1946
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1946

About this map

The confluence of the Gila River and the Santa Cruz River defines this landscape during the early twentieth century, serving as a vital corridor for both indigenous communities and rail expansion. The Gila River Indian Reservation and Papago Indian Reservation cover significant portions of the sheet, where traditional sites like Pima Village exist alongside the vestiges of early pioneer travel, most notably the Maricopa Wells (Abandoned) site.

Industrial development is marked by the crossing of the Southern Pacific and Arizona Eastern (Phoenix Division) railroads. Small rail-side settlements like Heaton, Enid, and the growing hub at Maricopa illustrate the era's transition from river-based transit to steam-powered freight. To the west, the massive peaks of the Sierra Estrella and Palo Verde Mts provide a sharp vertical contrast to the desert floor, featuring distinctive landmarks such as Montezuma's Head and Butterfly Mtn.