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1948 Map of Superior

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Superior
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Magma Copper Mines anchor the industrial landscape of this mining district, where the town of Superior serves as a hub for extraction and processing. The map documents the heavy infrastructure of the era, including the Smelter, Slag Dump, and the Magma Arizona railroad line that serviced the works. Beyond the immediate town site, the terrain is marked by numerous historical workings such as the Silver King Mine and Fortuna Mine, illustrating a cycle of boom and depletion in the surrounding mountains.

Water management and transport are critical in this arid environment, evidenced by the Superior Water Tank, the Superior Municipal Airport, and the Pump Station on Queen Creek. Local life is visible in the presence of a High School, Ball Park, and Cemetery situated near the town center. To the east, the Tonto National Forest boundary marks a shift from industrial activity to protected lands, defined by steep drainages like Devils Canyon and Rawhide Canyon.