1968 Map of Tucson SE

About this map

The Southern Pacific Railroad cuts a diagonal path through this arid landscape southeast of Tucson, connecting small sidings and communities like Littletown, Wilmot, and Esmond. To the north, the massive footprint of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base dominates the terrain, while the southern reaches are occupied by the Sahuarita Bombing and Gunnery Range. This period in the late 1960s shows a region transitioning from traditional ranching, represented by the Franco Ranch, to more modern infrastructure including a large Aqueduct, several pipelines, and the County Fairgrounds. The map details the early development of the interstate highway system through the area, noting several major interchanges such as the Wilmot Interchange and Rita Interchange, which would eventually reshape these desert settlements into modern suburbs.