Loading map...

1905 Map of Yuma

Name: 1905 Topographic Map of Yuma
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1936
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1936

About this map

The Colorado River and Gila River meet at a pivotal junction on this survey, marking the intersection of Arizona, California, and Mexico. Centered on Yuma, the landscape reveals an early 20th-century focus on water management and mineral extraction. The massive Imperial Canal cuts south through the desert, while the northern mountains are dotted with mining operations like the Picacho Mine and American Mine.

Evidence of the region's diverse history is visible at the Fort Yuma School and the sprawling Yuma Indian Reservation. The Southern Pacific railroad provides the primary overland artery, connecting desert stops such as Ogilby and Knob to the emerging agricultural settlements like Somerton. The map captures the complex geography of the Sand Hills and the precise international boundary lines that defined this borderland frontier.