1957 Map of McMicken Dam

About this map

Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad tracks slice diagonally across the landscape of central Maricopa County, anchoring the early growth of settlements like Beardsley. This mid-century survey documents the critical infrastructure managed by the United States Department of the Interior, including the extensive Mc Micken Dam Spillway 1354 and its associated Basin. The map reveals a transition from ranching at Bard Ranch toward organized settlement in Surprise, while military history is recorded at the now Luke Auxiliary Field No 2 (Closed). The terrain is defined by natural drainage systems like Trilby Wash and the distinct elevation of Bunker Peak, providing a clear look at how water management through a network of Canals and Reservoirs shaped the development of this arid region before suburban expansion took hold.