1959 Map of Vaca Hills

About this map

The Silver Bell Mine complex dominates the eastern landscape of the West Silver Bell Mts, revealing an intensive mid-century industrial footprint characterized by the Oxide Pit, El Tiro Pit, and numerous shafts like the Daisy Shaft. An Old Railroad Grade traces the historical logistics of the area, connecting the mining works toward the northeast. To the south, the boundary of the Papago Indian Reservation encompasses a vast desert terrain marked by ephemeral drainages such as Aguirre Wash and Vitopuli Wash. This 1950s survey documents a critical period of transition where traditional ranching at Romero Ranch and Queens Well coexisted with large-scale open-pit excavations. Local heritage is preserved in the location of Skoksonak Graves and the Silver Bell Cem, providing specific points of interest for genealogists and regional historians.