1907 Map of Roosevelt

About this map

The Roosevelt Dam anchors this early twentieth-century landscape, capturing a pivotal moment in the management of the Salt River. This survey, conducted between 1905 and 1907, documents the area just as the Roosevelt Reservoir was being formed, significantly altering the hydrology of the Tonto Creek and Salt River confluence. Away from the water, the map reveals a network of high-desert outposts and homesteads, including Howell's Ranch, Blanton's Ranch, and Schell's Station. The presence of Tonto National Monument and the various cattle ranches like Bouquet Ranch and Edwards Ranch illustrate the transition from ancient habitations to early Arizona territory agriculture. Topographical features such as Mt Ord, Four Peaks, and the Painted Cliffs provide clear landmarks for the many trails and early power lines that would soon connect these remote canyons to the growing infrastructure of Central Arizona.