1949 Map of Putnam Wash

About this map

Cactus Hill Ranch and Tunnel Ranch anchor this arid landscape in the northern Tortolita Mts, where survival and settlement depend entirely on a scattered network of water sources. The 1949 terrain is defined by its drainage systems, most notably Putnam Wash, Bloodsucker Wash, and the southern Camp Grant Wash. These seasonal waterways are supported by numerous named wells and tanks, such as Beehive Well, Yellowjacket Well, and Cowhead Tank, which reflect the ranching infrastructure of the mid-twentieth century. An underground pipe line cuts through the desert floor, suggesting the industrial efforts to move resources across this high-elevation environment dominated by Antelope Peak. Researchers can trace the placement of remote outposts like Palmer Well and the secluded Putnam Spr during an era of transition for Pinal County ranching.