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1960 Map of Safford

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Safford
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The Gila River valley serves as the central artery for this 1960 topographic study, revealing a complex network of irrigation that supports the agricultural life of the Gila Valley. A series of engineered waterways, including the Montezuma Canal, Union Canal, and Highline Canal, branch off the river to hydrate the surrounding fields. The regional hub of Safford is shown in detail alongside neighboring Thatcher and Hollywood, while the Southern Pacific railroad provides a vital transportation link parallel to the river.

Beyond the cultivated valley floor, the terrain rises into the foothills of Lone Star Mtn and Weber Peak. Scattered mining operations like the Ben Hur Mine and Lone Star Mine suggest the area's geological prospects. For the local historian, the map preserves the locations of numerous community anchors, from the County Fairgrounds and Safford Municipal Airport to several burial grounds such as Rest Haven Memorial Gardens and the Solomonsville Cemetery.