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1957 Map of Rincon Valley

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Rincon Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

The Saguaro National Monument encompasses the high peaks of the Rincon Mountains, including Mica Mtn and Spud Rock. This 1957 field-checked survey documents a landscape defined by the transition from the arid desert floor to the high-elevation woodlands of the Coronado National Forest. In the valley, the Southern Pacific railroad follows the curve of Cienega creek toward Vail, while early aviation footprints are visible at Thunderhead Airport and a small Landing Strip near the northern boundary.

Local history is preserved in the location of the Rincon Sanatorium and specialized landmarks like the Madrona Ranger Station and Spud Rock Cabin. The southern portion of the map highlights recreational and geological points of interest, notably the Colossal Cave Entrance within Colossal Cave Park. Ranching and small-scale mining operations, such as the Loma Verde Mine and the Day Ranch, indicate the era's diverse land use before the expansion of nearby urban centers.