1950 Map of Sentinel

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad corridor dominates this mid-century desert landscape, serving as the primary artery connecting the isolated outposts of Sentinel, Midway Station, and Tartron. This arid expanse in Maricopa County is defined by the sharp transition from the desert floor to the Painted Rock Mountains in the northeast, where the Gila River cuts through the terrain. Evidence of earlier water management is visible via an (Abandoned Ditch) near the riverbank, suggesting the challenges of irrigation in this environment. To the south, the vast Ajo Bend Military Reservation occupies a significant portion of the sheet, while prominent landmarks like Sentinel Pk and a lone Tower provide navigation points across the open flats. The presence of a Gravel Pit near the rail line highlights the local materials used to maintain the critical transportation infrastructure during the post-war era.