1951 Map of Woolsey Peak

About this map

The Gila Bend Mountains dominate this arid landscape, rising sharply above the southern desert flats where the Gila River dictates the pattern of human activity. Published in 1955, the map documents a transition from the mineral-heavy activity of the high ground, represented by the Buckeye Copper Mine and Harcan Mine, to the intensive irrigation efforts of the valley floor. The river corridor is heavily engineered with a complex network including the Enterprise Canal, Diversion Dike, and various irrigation ditches designed to channel water to settlements like Arlington. Cultural markers of the area's deep history are visible in the form of Petroglyphs and Indian Ruins near the Gila Bend Indian Reservation. The presence of the Blue Mountain Sch and Warford Ranch highlights the scattered rural infrastructure that supported local families during this period.