1964 Map of North Butte

About this map

The Gila River corridor dominates this desert landscape, serving as a vital conduit for the Southern Pacific River railroad which tracks along its northern bank. The small settlement of Cochran sits nestled between the river and the rail line, representing a critical point of human activity in an area otherwise defined by desert washes and canyons. Further west, the Ashurst Hayden Dam regulates the river flow, while a complex of Coke Ovens hints at the region's industrial or mining history. The terrain is dramatically punctuated by North Butte and South Butte, which rise above the surrounding drainage networks. Numerous ephemeral waterways like Box O Wash, Donnelly Wash, and Martinez Canyon feed toward the river valley, while the presence of the Donnelly Ranch and various wells indicates the persistent efforts to manage water for livestock in this arid Pinal County environment.