1957 Map of Mesa

About this map

The Salt River and Gila River valleys define the landscape of this 1957 survey, illustrating the critical water management and agricultural patterns of central Arizona. In the west, the growing urban footprint of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa is clearly marked, alongside the educational presence of Arizona State College. The transition from the valley floor to the high desert is dominated by the Superstition Mountains and the mining activity near Miami and Globe, where the Inspiration Mine and Castle Dome Mine represent the region's industrial backbone. Northeast of the urban centers, the importance of water storage is evident through the series of reservoirs including Roosevelt Lake and Saguaro Lake on the Salt River. The eastern portion of the sheet provides a detailed look at the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and San Carlos Indian Reservation, showing the rugged terrain of the Mazatzal Mountains and the Sierra Ancha.