1952 Map of Pima Butte

About this map

The Gila River Indian Reservation dominates this 1950s landscape, where the confluence of arid hydrology and early agricultural engineering is clearly visible. The desert floor is defined by the wandering paths of the Gila River, Santa Cruz Wash, and Vekol Wash. Water management for ranching and farming is evidenced by the Hoover Ditch and Santa Cruz Ditch, which divert flow across the Maricopa and Pinal county lines. A single prominent landmark, Pima Butte, rises above the surrounding flats in the southeastern quadrant, serving as a natural navigational anchor. Evidence of localized cattle operations appears through various named Corral sites and the Lone Butte Ranch, illustrating the remote ranching economy that persisted in this region of Arizona before the rapid expansion of modern irrigation and suburban development.