1951 Map of Santa Rita

About this map

Large-scale open-pit copper mining dominates the landscape around Santa Rita and Hanover, where the massive excavation of the North Pit Chino Mine and South Pit Chino Mine create a dramatic topography of terraced pits and leaching ponds. This industrial activity is supported by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which threads through the mountains to reach the high-elevation mining operations at Fierro. Beyond the pits, the map documents the dense social fabric of mid-century mining communities, including Wimsattville, Turnerville, and Vanadium. Schools such as Sully Sch and Hanover Sch are positioned near residential clusters, while dozens of named shafts and tunnels like the Princess Shaft and Groundhog No 5 Shaft pepper the slopes of Hermosa Mtn and Fierro Hill. The northern reach of the map transitions into the Gila National Forest, where the terrain rises toward Avalanche Peak.