Old Maps of Ridgecrest, California for Metal Detecting
Plan your next treasure hunt with 23 historic maps of Ridgecrest. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.
- Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
- Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
- Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.
Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of Ridgecrest.
Ridgecrest, CA maps
(23)- 1915 Map of Searles Lake1915 Searles Lake1915 Print · USGSThe Mojave Desert at the height of its early mining boom features a landscape defined by the Trona RR and the thriving gold camps of the Rand Mountains. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of Randsburg, the soda works at Trona, and remote outposts like Muerto Leliter PO and Garlock.6 unique versions available
- 1947 Map of Trona, 1948 Print1947 Trona1948 Print · USGSThe Mojave Desert and Southern Sierra foothills come alive in the late 1940s, showing the industrial nodes of the Argus Range and the burgeoning Camp Irwin. Trace the legacy of desert mining and railroading through Trona, the Ashford Mill, and the historic districts of Randsburg and Garlock.
- 1948 Map of Trona1948 Trona1948 Print · USGSThe Mojave Desert and Death Valley frontier appear here during a mid-century era of military expansion and industrial mining. Trace the remnants of the Old Spanish Trail or locate isolated landmarks like Ashford Mill and the mining hub of Randsburg.
- 1953 Map of Ridgecrest, 1955 Print1953 Ridgecrest1955 Print · USGSThe high desert of Kern County was transforming in the mid-1950s as military and mining interests converged. Genealogists and historians can trace early neighborhood schools like Vieweg Sch or locate remote mining operations including the Goldbug Mine and St Elmo Mines.4 unique versions available
- 1953 Map of Trona, 1956 Print1953 Trona1956 Print · USGSThe high desert of San Bernardino and Inyo counties during the early Cold War reveals a landscape of mineral industry and military expansion. You can trace the Old Spanish Trail, locate the Trona potash works, and find remote outposts like Ashford Mill.
- 1957 Map of Trona, 1964 Print1957 Trona1964 Print · USGSThe High Desert in the mid-fifties is captured here as a landscape of remote mining outposts and growing military installations. Trace the industrial rail lines to Trona, the mining history of Randsburg, or the isolated expanse of the Naval Ordnance Test Station.5 unique versions available
- 1960 Map of Trona1960 Trona1960 Print · USGSThe Mojave Desert at mid-century reveals a landscape of massive military installations and industrial mineral works. Researchers can trace the heritage of mining and ranching at Ashford Mill, Randsburg, and Paxton Ranch while following the Old Spanish Trail.2 unique versions available
- 1973 Map of Ridgecrest South, 1975 Print1973 Ridgecrest South1975 Print · USGSThe growing desert community of Ridgecrest and the Indian Wells Valley are detailed here during a period of significant expansion in the early seventies. Researchers can trace the Southern Pacific rail line, find local mining history at the Goldbug Mine, and locate civic landmarks like Cerro Coso Jr College.
- 1973 Map of Ridgecrest North, 1976 Print1973 Ridgecrest North1976 Print · USGSRidgecrest and the surrounding high desert are captured in the early seventies, showcasing a period of rapid military and residential growth. Genealogists and local historians can trace family locations near Burroughs High Sch or examine the NAF China Lake (Armitage Field) facility.
- 1973 Map of Lone Butte, 1976 Print1973 Lone Butte1976 Print · USGSThe high desert at the edge of the Kern and San Bernardino county line is captured here in the 1970s. Researchers can trace the infrastructure of the China Lake Naval Weapons Center along the U S Government Railroad and the slopes of Lone Butte.
- 1993 Map of Ridgecrest1993 Ridgecrest1993 Print · USGSThe northern Mojave Desert comes into focus in the 1990s as a complex landscape of military research and industrial salt harvesting. Researchers can trace the extensive Trona Railway and Southern Pacific lines through desert outposts like Inyokern and Little Lake.2 unique versions available
- 2012 Map of Ridgecrest North, 2012 Print2012 Ridgecrest North2012 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including China Lake, San Bernardino County, and other nearby areas
- 2012 Map of Lone Butte, 2012 Print2012 Lone Butte2012 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including San Bernardino County, Kern County, and other nearby areas
- 2012 Map of Ridgecrest South, 2012 Print2012 Ridgecrest South2012 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including San Bernardino County, Kern County, and other nearby areas
- 2015 Map of Lone Butte, 2015 Print2015 Lone Butte2015 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including San Bernardino County, Kern County, and other nearby areas
- 2015 Map of Ridgecrest North, 2015 Print2015 Ridgecrest North2015 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including China Lake, San Bernardino County, and other nearby areas
- 2015 Map of Ridgecrest South, 2015 Print2015 Ridgecrest South2015 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including San Bernardino County, Kern County, and other nearby areas
- 2018 Map of Ridgecrest South, 2018 Print2018 Ridgecrest South2018 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including San Bernardino County, Kern County, and other nearby areas
- 2018 Map of Ridgecrest North, 2018 Print2018 Ridgecrest North2018 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including China Lake, San Bernardino County, and other nearby areas
- 2018 Map of Lone Butte, 2018 Print2018 Lone Butte2018 Print · USGSCovers Ridgecrest, including San Bernardino County, Kern County, and other nearby areas
- 2021 Map of Ridgecrest South, 2021 Print2021 Ridgecrest South2021 Print · USGSRidgecrest expanded across the Indian Wells Valley in the early 2020s, bridging residential growth with the open desert. Local researchers can trace modern landmarks like Cerro Coso Community College and the neighborhood streets of Ridgecrest Heights near Rademacher Hill.
- 2021 Map of Ridgecrest North, 2021 Print2021 Ridgecrest North2021 Print · USGSThe northern reaches of the Indian Wells Valley are captured here in the early 2020s, where desert military installations meet growing residential grids. Trace the perimeter of the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station and the suburban streets of Ridgecrest along Las Flores Ave.
- 2021 Map of Lone Butte, 2021 Print2021 Lone Butte2021 Print · USGSModern desert development meets the high mountain terrain of San Bernardino County in the early 2020s. Researchers can trace the expansion of Ridgecrest toward Lone Butte and the specialized road networks serving the Argus Range and Salt Wells Valley.
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