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1964 Map of Sonora

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Sonora
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Industrial activity and ranching define the landscape of the Dripping Spring Mountains in the mid-1960s. The bustling operations at Ray and the nearby settlement of Sonora are documented just south of Mineral Creek, showcasing the significant infrastructure required for the Ray Mine. This includes a complex network of roads, substations, and a dedicated railroad line serving the mineral extraction sites. To the east, the terrain transitions into a series of spring-fed gulches and canyons, where several historical ranching sites like Troy Ranch and Slash S Ranch are located near the Gila and Pinal county boundary.

Prospectors and local historians can trace numerous workings including the Alice Mine, Monitor Mine, and Buckeye Mine. The topography is marked by distinctive landmarks such as Twin Domes, Big Dome, and Hot Tamale Peak. Water sources are critical in this arid environment, evidenced by the many named springs such as Walnut Spring and Vanadium Springs that historically supported the local mining and ranching economy.