1950 Map of Putnam Wash

About this map

Antelope Peak dominates the northwestern corner of this Pinal County landscape, which in the late 1940s was defined by a sparse network of ranching outposts and vital water sources. The map documents a rugged cattle-country infrastructure where life centered on isolated landmarks like Cactus Hill Ranch and Tunnel Ranch. A complex system of ephemeral drainage ways, including Putnam Wash, Bloodsucker Wash, and Grant Camp Wash, carves through the terrain, punctuated by named wells and tanks that were essential for livestock in this arid environment. Of particular interest to industrial historians is the presence of a Pipe Line and an Underground Pipe Line traversing the central and southern sections, indicating early mid-century utility development. The distribution of features like Yellowjacket Well and Beehive Well provides a detailed look at the rural land use patterns before later regional expansion.