1934 Map of Silver Bell

About this map

The Papago Indian Reservation dominates this high-desert landscape in 1934, reflecting a period of transitioning land use in Pima County. Drawing on detailed records from the Indian Service, the map identifies small, remote O'odham settlements such as Wickehoupai, Cobabi, and Ak Chin alongside ranching and mining outposts. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevations including the South Comobabi Mts and Kitt's Peak, which rise sharply above the Santa Rosa Valley. Resource extraction is evident at the Roadside Mine near Maish and the Golden Age prospect, while water sources like San Lorenzo Well and Pozo Colorado mark vital survival points in an arid environment. This survey provides a rare view of the indigenous and industrial footprint across the Sonoran landscape before modern infrastructure transformed the region.