1941 Map of Vekol Mountains

About this map

Mining operations and indigenous settlements define this pre-war survey of the desert landscape south of the Gila River. The Vekol Mountains anchor the center of the sheet, surrounded by a high density of industrial sites including the Vekol Mine, Copperosity Mine, and the Christmas Gift Mine. These prospects were surveyed in the late 1930s, showing a complex network of wells and camps necessary for extraction in this arid environment. Several tribal communities within the Papago Indian Reservation are clearly marked, such as Sif Vaya, Chiapuk, and Totopitk, often located near reliable water sources like Kohatk Wash. The map also captures the political geography of the era, illustrating the convergence of Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima counties amidst prominent landforms like Table Top Mountain and the Cimarron Mountains.