1987 Map of Orange Butte

About this map

Orange Butte stands as a prominent landmark in this desert landscape where Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee counties meet. This 1980s provisional survey illustrates a region defined by its vital water sources, where isolated improvements like Old Camp Windmill and Horsecamp Windmill supported ranching operations. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages such as Whitehorse Canyon and Lighting Canyon, which converge toward the Tule Wells area. The presence of named water features like Indian Tanks, Tule Tank, and Sands Well suggests the critical importance of reliable water in this arid environment. Surveyed during the late 20th century, the map documents the network of unimproved roads and trails that connected these remote outposts, including Robs Well and Midway Peak, providing a clear view of the land use patterns and topographical challenges of the high desert before modern developments.