1952 Map of Tempe

About this map

The Salt River valley south of Scottsdale reveals an era of rapid transition from desert agriculture to suburban expansion in the early 1950s. The landscape is anchored by Arizona State College at Tempe and the prominent volcanic outcrops of Papago Buttes, while an intricate network of irrigation systems including the Arizona Canal, Grand Canal, and Cross Cut Canal supports the surrounding fields. The map captures the footprint of early regional institutions like the Arizona State Hospital and the Arizona National Guard before the massive post-war growth fully connected these distinct communities.