Loading map...

1951 Map of Santa Rita

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Santa Rita
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Industrial copper and iron mining dominate this high-altitude landscape within the Gila National Forest, where massive open pits and intricate shaft networks define the local economy. At the heart of the district, the South Pit Chino Mine is surrounded by support settlements like Santa Rita, Wimsattville, and Turnerville. The geography is a complex weave of heavy industry and small-town life, with numerous schools such as Sully Sch and Union Hill Sch situated alongside massive operations like the Hanover-Bessemer Iron Pits.

Logistics are handled by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which snakes through the canyons to serve the Santa Rita Station. Beyond the industrial centers, the map reveals a rugged backcountry marked by landmarks like the Kneeling Nun and the Georgetown Cemetery. This survey captures the region during a peak period of post-war mineral extraction, showing the specific locations of dozens of tunnels and shafts including the Maggie Shaft and Continental Adit.