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1958 Map of Swisshelm Mtn

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Swisshelm Mtn
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Sulphur Spring Valley dominates this high-desert landscape in Cochise County, showing a mid-century transition from traditional ranching to industrial infrastructure. The settlement of Elfrida serves as a local hub, anchored by the Valley Union High School, while to the south, McNeal is marked by a prominent Generating Plant and a designated Landing Field. The map illustrates the region's ranching heritage through landmarks like Four Bars Ranch, positioned along the intermittent course of Whitewater Draw.

To the east, the terrain rises sharply into Swisshelm Mountain, where a legacy of resource extraction is evident in numerous shafts, tunnels, and a Prospect. These mountain slopes give way to deep drainages such as Monster Canyon and Leslie Canyon, providing a stark contrast to the flat valley floor. Local aviation and communications are further represented by a Radio Range Station and a Douglas Monitoring Station located near the southern boundary, reflecting the area's strategic role in regional monitoring during the late 1950s.