1969 Map of Phoenix

About this map

Glendale and Phoenix appear as established urban centers in this late 1960s revision, while the surrounding desert landscape remains defined by its historical mining and agricultural roots. The eastern portion of the map showcases rapid suburban development with newer communities like Sun City and Youngtown beginning to spread north of the Salt River. To the west, the arid basin-and-range topography is dominated by the Harquahala Mountains and the Vulture Gold Mine, an area still characterized by sparse settlements and the long corridors of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe railroad. Military aviation plays a significant role in the local geography, represented by the expansive grounds of Luke Air Force Base and its satellite fields. The map captures a vital hydrological network where the Gila River, Agua Fria River, and Hassayampa River converge in the Buckeye Valley, reflecting the irrigation-dependent economy of central Arizona.