1968 Map of Ruelas Canyon

About this map

The Tortolita Mountains dominate the northern landscape of this Pima County quadrangle, where high desert peaks give way to the drainage systems of Wild Burro Canyon and Ruelas Canyon. This 1968 survey reveals a transitional area of Southern Arizona defined by its ranching heritage and the early expansion of the Tucson-area road network. Family-named properties like Jurko Ranch, Oasis Ranch, and Bonnie Brae Ranch are interspersed with a growing grid of thoroughfares, including Tangerine Road and Thornydale Road. In the southwest corner, the Santa Cruz River and the Southern Pacific railroad corridor provide a stark contrast to the rugged uplands, marking the vital transportation artery through the desert. Small-scale mining and industrial activity are evident at various Prospects and a Gravel Pit, while a local Landing Field and a Trailer Park signal shifting land use in the mid-20th century.