1964 Map of North Butte

About this map

The Gila River corridor dominates this 1964 survey of Pinal County, Arizona, where water management and mineral processing define the desert landscape. The Southern Pacific railroad follows the river's winding course, serving small outposts like Price and Cochran. Evidence of historical industry is found near the river at the Coke Ovens, while the Ashurst-Hayden Dam downstream signifies the mid-century transformation of local water resources. The terrain is marked by prominent igneous features, most notably North Butte and South Butte, which rise sharply above the river canyon. Away from the water, the land is etched by seasonal drainages such as Box O Wash, Donnelly Wash, and Martinez Canyon, illustrating the arid conditions surrounding the isolated Donnelly Ranch. This survey captures a moment when the regional economy remained tied to the established rail lines and the control of the Gila's flow.