1952 Map of Palo Verde

About this map

The Palo Verde Valley is defined by a dense grid of irrigation infrastructure and the shifting path of the Colorado River along the California-Arizona border. In this 1952 study, the landscape is transitioning from early desert outposts to a structured agricultural district, evidenced by the extensive canal network including the C-18 Canal and C-24 Canal. While the settlement of Palo Verde remains a focal point, the map identifies former locations like Rannells (Site) and Taylor Ferry (Site), indicating the transient nature of early river-bound development. The contrast between the level valley floor and the rising Palo Verde Mesa illustrates the geographic limits of early 20th-century water engineering, where local drainage like Gould Wash and Woman Wash cuts through the desert terrain toward the river.