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1940s Maps of Imperial County, California

Explore 42 historic maps of Imperial County from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how Imperial County's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring Imperial County's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.

Imperial County, CA maps

(42)
  1. 1940 Map of Brawley, 1955 Print
    1940 Map of Brawley, 1955 Print
    1940 Brawley
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Imperial Valley's complex irrigation and rail network is captured here just before the mid-century. Researchers can trace family-named schools and sidings like Lantana Sch, Silsbee Sch, and Wilsie Siding among the canals of the early valley economy.
  4. 1940 Map of Kane Spring, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Kane Spring, 1956 Print
    1940 Kane Spring
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Imperial County desert near the Salton Sea shoreline is captured here in the 1940s, showing early attempts at irrigation and settlement. Researchers can trace the Pacific Portland Cement route and find family landmarks like Elmore Desert Ranch and Roosevelt Sch.
    3 unique versions available
  7. 1940 Map of Iris, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Iris, 1956 Print
    1940 Iris
    1956 Print · USGS
    Imperial County at the start of the 1940s showcases a desert undergoing industrial transformation through a vast network of irrigation canals. Genealogists and historians can trace rail sidings like Flowing Well Siding and rural landmarks such as Mulberry Sch or the settlement of Wiest.
    4 unique versions available
  10. 1940 Map of Frink, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Frink, 1956 Print
    1940 Frink
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Imperial County desert meets the shoreline of the Salton Sea in the early 1940s as infrastructure begins to reshape the basin. You can trace the Southern Pacific rail line through remote stops at Frink, Pope, and Wister, or locate the historic Frink Spring.
  13. 1940 Map of Yuma, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Yuma, 1956 Print
    1940 Yuma
    1956 Print · USGS
    Yuma and the surrounding desert irrigation districts are captured here at the start of the 1940s as the river economy matured. Genealogists and local historians can trace the foundations of Somerton, the Indian Sch, and family-named schools like Crane Sch.
    3 unique versions available
  16. 1940 Map of Heber, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Heber, 1956 Print
    1940 Heber
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Imperial Valley borderlands are captured here in the early 1940s, showing the complex web of irrigation and desert life. Trace the development of Heber and Calexico alongside the massive All American Canal and the family-linked Mt Signal Union Sch.
  19. 1940 Map of Iris Pass, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Iris Pass, 1956 Print
    1940 Iris Pass
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Imperial County desert at the onset of World War II shows a landscape shifting from traditional trails to military use and large-scale irrigation. Trace historic desert travel via Ehrenberg Road, Salvation Spring, and the Coachella Canal.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1940 Map of Plaster City, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Plaster City, 1956 Print
    1940 Plaster City
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Imperial Desert at the start of the 1940s reveals a unique blend of mining industry, military testing, and early irrigation. Genealogists and historians can trace the Overland Stage Route or explore the rail-dependent economy of Plaster City and the County Rock Quarry.
  25. 1940 Map of Alamorio, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Alamorio, 1956 Print
    1940 Alamorio
    1956 Print · USGS
    Imperial Valley's agricultural grid is in full bloom during the 1940s, revealing a landscape defined by an extensive network of canals and laterals. Genealogists can locate numerous rural schoolhouses like Eastside Sch and trace rail lines through Sandia and Holtville.
  28. 1940 Map of Coyote Wells, 1956 Print
    1940 Map of Coyote Wells, 1956 Print
    1940 Coyote Wells
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Colorado Desert during the early 1940s reveals a landscape of high-heat basins and essential transit corridors along the international border. Researchers can trace the path of the Old Stage Road and locate the railway stop at Coyote Wells or the geologic Shell Beds.
  31. 1940 Map of Calexico, 1957 Print
    1940 Map of Calexico, 1957 Print
    1940 Calexico
    1957 Print · USGS
    The Imperial Valley borderlands come into focus at the dawn of the 1940s, showing the early impact of the All American Canal. Trace the development of Calexico and rural landmarks like Bonds Corner, Jasper Sch, and the Alamo River.
  34. 1940 Map of Durmid, 1964 Print
    1940 Map of Durmid, 1964 Print
    1940 Durmid
    1964 Print · USGS
    Imperial County and the desert shoreline of the Salton Sea appear here in the early 1940s, just as new water infrastructure reached the area. Researchers can trace the Southern Pacific rail line through Durmid and Bertram or follow the early Anza Trail past Truckhaven.
  37. 1942 Map of Barrel Spring
    1942 Map of Barrel Spring
    1942 Barrel Spring
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Colorado Desert at the start of the 1940s reveals a landscape of industrial outposts and early parklands. Researchers can trace the Pacific Portland Cement Railroad leading to a remote Gypsum Mine or locate early settlements like Ocotillo and Little Borrego.
    2 unique versions available
  40. 1942 Map of Agua Dulce
    1942 Map of Agua Dulce
    1942 Agua Dulce
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Colorado Desert at the start of World War II reveals a landscape of high peaks and below-sea-level basins. Trace early desert life through the Oasis Sch, the remote Seventeen-Palms oasis, and the shoreline at Fish Springs.
  43. 1942 Map of El Centro
    1942 Map of El Centro
    1942 El Centro
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Imperial Valley and the California-Mexico border are captured during the peak of World War II-era desert development. Genealogists and historians can trace defunct school districts like Meloland Sch and Sandia, or follow the path of the Inter-California Railroad across the international line.
    2 unique versions available
  46. 1942 Map of Yuma
    1942 Map of Yuma
    1942 Yuma
    1942 Print · USGS
    The desert frontier near Yuma underwent a massive transformation during the early war years as irrigation and military infrastructure expanded. Researchers can trace the development of the All American Canal Project and locate numerous historic workings like the Fortuna Mine and Old Senator Mine.
  49. 1942 Map of Blythe
    1942 Map of Blythe
    1942 Blythe
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Lower Colorado River valley appears here in the early 1940s, showcasing the agricultural development of the Palo Verde Mesa alongside a booming mining industry. Researchers can locate remote desert outposts and extraction sites like Midland, the U S Gypsum Mine, and Nortons Landing.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1942 Map of Carrizo Mtn, 1944 Print
    1942 Map of Carrizo Mtn, 1944 Print
    1942 Carrizo Mtn
    1944 Print · USGS
    The high desert at the San Diego and Imperial County border comes alive in this wartime survey of the early 1940s. Follow the Old Overland Stage Route to the Old Carrizo Stage Station or locate the site of Prehistoric Animal Tracks.
    4 unique versions available
  55. 1942 Map of Jacumba, 1944 Print
    1942 Map of Jacumba, 1944 Print
    1942 Jacumba
    1944 Print · USGS
    The high desert borderlands come alive in the 1940s as the railroad traverses the mountains into Imperial County. Researchers can trace the path of the San Diego and Arizona Eastern through Jacumba Hot Springs to remote sidings and desert claims like Mica Gem Mine.
  58. 1943 Map of Laguna
    1943 Map of Laguna
    1943 Laguna
    1943 Print · USGS
    Arizona and California meet along the river in the 1940s as massive irrigation works reshape the desert. Trace the engineering of the Imperial Dam, locate the Old Senator Mine, and follow the Southern Pacific line through Dome.
  61. 1943 Map of Vallecito
    1943 Map of Vallecito
    1943 Vallecito
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Colorado Desert during the early 1940s is captured here, showing the remote ranching outposts and new state park boundaries. Genealogists can trace family holdings like Oliver Ranch and Rancho De Anza or locate historic sites such as Borrego School and the Gypsum Mine.
  64. 1943 Map of Coyote Wells, 1945 Print
    1943 Map of Coyote Wells, 1945 Print
    1943 Coyote Wells
    1945 Print · USGS
    Imperial County during the war years reveals a desert landscape defined by the Old Stage Road and international border. Trace local history through landmark sites like Coyote Wells, the Shell Beds, and Yuha Spring.
  67. 1943 Map of Heber, 1945 Print
    1943 Map of Heber, 1945 Print
    1943 Heber
    1945 Print · USGS
    The Imperial Valley borderlands thrived during the 1940s as a highly engineered agricultural landscape along the Mexico boundary. Genealogists can trace rural life through landmarks like Mt Signal Union Sch and the extensive network of irrigation ditches including the Dahlia Canal and All American Canal.
  70. 1943 Map of Brawley, 1945 Print
    1943 Map of Brawley, 1945 Print
    1943 Brawley
    1945 Print · USGS
    The Imperial Valley's desert-to-farmland transformation is on full display here during the mid-1940s. Researchers can trace the vast irrigation network of the Westside Main Canal and locate vanished rural schoolhouses like Silsbee Sch and Lantana Sch..
  73. 1943 Map of Calexico, 1945 Print
    1943 Map of Calexico, 1945 Print
    1943 Calexico
    1945 Print · USGS
    The Imperial Valley's borderlands and irrigation networks are shown in detail during the 1940s. Genealogists and researchers can trace the rural landscape around Calexico and Bonds Corner, identifying local landmarks like Jasper Sch and the massive All American Canal.
Showing maps 1-25 of 42

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Imperial County?
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