1956 Map of Tucson

About this map

The Santa Cruz River valley serves as the central corridor for this 1950s-era landscape, where the growing city of Tucson is bounded by the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Saguaro National Monument. This survey reveals a region transitioning from its deep indigenous and colonial roots, represented by the San Xavier del Bac Mission and several tribal villages like Tat Momoli, toward a modern era of military and industrial expansion. The presence of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the Sahuarita Bombing And Gunnery Range highlights the Cold War-era strategic importance of the Arizona desert.