1981 Map of Rio Rico

About this map

The Luis Maria Baca (Float No 3) land grant dominates the high desert terrain north of Nogales, providing a stark geographic backdrop for the winding Santa Cruz River. This 1981 record documents a landscape defined by centuries of layering, from the Spanish colonial presence at Guevavi Mission (Ruins) and the Calabasas (Site) to the burgeoning suburban development of Rio Rico. The southern portion of the map is punctuated by the industrial scars of the Patagonia Mountains, where mining sites like the Columbia Mine and Uncle Sam Mine mark the mineral-rich slopes of Mt Benedict. The convergence of Sonoita Creek and Potrero Creek with the Santa Cruz creates a riparian corridor that has historically dictated settlement patterns, evidenced by the presence of large cattle operations like Guevavi Ranch and Santa Fe Ranch along the riverbanks.