1957 Map of Sabino Canyon

About this map

Coronado National Forest dominates the northern half of this landscape, where steep canyons like Ventana Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, and Sabino Canyon descend from high peaks. The 1970s revisions, marked in purple, show the expanding residential sprawl reaching northward toward the foothills. Distinct institutions are established along the desert floor, including the Southern Arizona School For Boys near Sabino Creek and the Immaculate Heart Novitiate further south. The drainage patterns of the Tanque Verde Creek and Pantano Wash define the southern hydrology, while smaller landmarks like the Stone House and Sabino Lake indicate early 20th-century water management and habitation. This survey illustrates the transition from open desert and rugged national forest to a suburbanized valley floor, with development following major arteries like the Catalina Highway and Tanque Verde Road.