1971 Map of Union Hills

About this map

Adobe stands as a primary point of development within this 1971 orthophotomosaic, which reveals the transitioning landscape of northern Maricopa County. The imagery, captured by the Geological Survey, shows the desert floor beginning to transform with early residential street grids and industrial footprints carved into the arid terrain. The natural hydrology of the area is defined by the prominent paths of Skunk Creek in the west and Cave Creek toward the center, both cutting through the alluvial plains south of the rising Hills. This specific document captures a moment of suburban expansion just before the intensive growth that would later reshape this portion of the Phoenix metropolitan area, making it an essential reference for understanding the historical topography and land use patterns of the early 1970s.