Loading map...

1958 Map of Phoenix

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Phoenix
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Phoenix sits at the heart of a burgeoning agricultural and military landscape, dominated by the intersecting paths of the Salt River and Gila River. In this mid-century survey, the expanding valley floor is defined by a rigorous grid of irrigation infrastructure, including the Beardsley Canal and Arizona Canal, which supported established communities like Glendale, Buckeye, and Avondale. The strategic importance of the region is evident in the presence of Luke Air Force Base and its numerous auxiliary fields, alongside the Litchfield Park Naval Air Facility.

Beyond the irrigated lowlands, the map traces the rugged desert economy of the Vulture Mountains and Harcuyar Mountains. Significant mining history is preserved at the Vulture Mine and Buckeye Copper Mine. To the west, the Kofa Game Range and the Gila River Indian Reservation highlight the diverse land use of the Arizona interior, while the steel of the Southern Pacific and Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe railroads link these remote outposts to the national network.