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1981 Map of Soza Mesa

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Soza Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

San Pedro River waters define the western edge of this desert landscape, where the San Pedro Valley transitions into the high tableland of Soza Mesa. This 1981 edition, based on mid-1970s aerial photography, documents a remote section of Cochise County characterized by deep drainages and isolated ranching outposts. The small settlement of Cascabel sits along the riverbanks, while further inland, the terrain is marked by a network of seasonal water sources and landmarks like Matalena Ranch and Matalena Ranch.

Evidence of early land use is scattered throughout the canyons, including Ruins and several Corral locations near Hot Springs Canyon. The topography rises toward Wildcat Peak and the Little Rincon Mountains, revealing a landscape where water was the primary driver for settlement and movement. Genealogists and local historians can trace the network of four-wheel-drive trails that connect these disparate springs and basins, such as Teran Basin and Kelsey Canyon.