1954 Map of Mesa

About this map

Phoenix and the expanding East Valley communities of Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale define the western portion of this mid-century survey, showing the region before the massive post-war urban sprawl fully merged these desert cities. The map tracks the vital water management systems of the Salt River and Gila River, featuring the massive Theodore Roosevelt Lake and San Carlos Reservoir. To the east, the topography shifts into the formidable Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest. Cultural and military footprints are prominent, from the ancient Casa Grande Ruins NM to the active runways of Williams AF Base. Transportation networks like the Southern Pacific railroad and the Magma Arizona line connect the copper mining districts of Miami and Globe to the agricultural and metropolitan centers, illustrating the industrial and residential transition of the era.