1954 Map of Phoenix

About this map

The Phoenix metropolitan area and the expansive desert basins of central Arizona are captured here during a period of significant post-war expansion. The map illustrates the burgeoning suburban landscape of the Salt River Valley, where newer communities like Sun City and Youngtown appear alongside established agricultural and transport hubs like Glendale, Avondale, and Buckeye. This urban core is anchored by Sky Harbor Municipal Airport and the heavy military presence at Luke Air Force Base, while the surrounding desert is defined by a network of seasonal washes and irrigation lifeblood provided by the Gila River and Salt River.