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1913 Map of Mesa

Name: 1913 Topographic Map of Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Salt River Indian Reservation and Gila River Indian Reservation anchor this 1913 survey of the Valley of the Sun, depicting a landscape in the midst of a massive agricultural transformation. The intricate network of irrigation, including the Arizona Canal, Consolidated Canal, and Grand Canal, defines the region's development before the mid-century urban boom. Early hubs like Tempe and Mesa appear alongside smaller agrarian settlements such as Creamery, Frankenburg, and Guadalupe.

Educational and institutional landmarks are prominent, from the Arizona State Normal Schoo in Tempe to the Indian Agency and School near the Salt River. The map also captures the early preservation of the desert landscape at Papago Saguara National Monument, featuring the iconic Hole in the Rock. This record provides essential detail for researchers tracing the early rail lines of the Arizona Eastern and the established Base Line that continues to organize the regional grid today.