Loading map...

1905 Map of Tucson

Name: 1905 Topographic Map of Tucson
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1916
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1916

About this map

The University of Arizona and the expanding grid of Tucson anchor this survey of the northern Sonoran Desert before the major mid-century population boom. To the west, the Papago Indian Reservation encompasses Xavier and the distinctive Sahuarita Butte (Martinez Hill), while the city’s social and educational infrastructure is marked by the Indian School, St Josephs Orphanage, and a Country Club.

Industry and transport of the early 1900s are defined by the Southern Pacific railroad corridor, featuring stops at Rita and Esmond equipped with a Pump House and Water Column. The surrounding landscape is a network of cattle interests and early extraction, from the Aldona Ranch and Bullock Ranch to the Loma Verde Mines in the foothills. To the north and east, the massive elevations of the Santa Catalina Mountains and Rincon Mountains loom over small settlements like Wrightstown and the Tanque Verde valley.