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1916 Map of Pearce

Name: 1916 Topographic Map of Pearce
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1916
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1916

About this map

Pearce and the mining camps of the Dragoon Mountains represent a pivotal era of extraction and ranching in southern Arizona. During the early 20th century, the landscape was a hive of industrial activity centered around copper and silver, reflected here by the concentration of settlements like Courtland and Gleeson. These towns were linked by the Arizona Eastern and Arizona Southwestern railroads, which facilitated the movement of ore and supplies through the Sulphur Spring Valley.

Beyond the mining districts, the map details a sprawling network of family operations such as Kirkpatrick Ranch and Stockton Ranch. The social infrastructure of these remote outposts is documented through isolated educational sites, including Stronghold School and Brophy School. The contrast between the high peaks of the Swisshelm Mountains and the flat expanse of Whitewater Draw illustrates the geographic constraints that shaped early travel along the Tombstone Courtland Road.