1957 Map of Tolleson

About this map

The agricultural landscape of the Salt River Valley is captured here just before the massive suburban expansion of the late 20th century. Farming communities like Avondale, Goodyear, and Tolleson are depicted as distinct settlements connected by the Southern Pacific railroad and a grid of irrigation canals. The drainage patterns are defined by the convergence of the Agua Fria River, the Salt River, and the Gila River, which dominate the southern portion of the survey. Significant land use for aviation and labor is evident near Litchfield Park, while the smaller community of Cashion sits along the transit corridor. This survey provides a precise look at the rural-to-urban transition in Maricopa County, documenting the exact footprint of early town sites and the industrial infrastructure that supported the region's mid-century growth.