1950s Maps of Palm Desert, California

Explore 8 historic maps of Palm Desert from the 1950s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1950s — 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 Palm Desert's landscape evolved across the 1950s, 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 1950s, 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 Palm Desert's history through authentic maps from the 1950s. This is your window into the past.


Palm Desert, CA maps

(8)
  1. 1956 Map of Santa Ana
    1956 Map of Santa Ana
    1956 Santa Ana
    1956 Print · USGS
    Southern California underwent massive mid-century transformation as suburban growth met major military and water projects. Trace the postwar expansion of Santa Ana and Riverside, the layout of Camp Pendleton, and the path of the Colorado River Aqueduct.

  2. 1957 Map of Rancho Mirage, 1960 Print
    1957 Map of Rancho Mirage, 1960 Print
    1957 Rancho Mirage
    1960 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert are caught at the beginning of their growth into desert retreats. Researchers can trace early residential streets like El Paseo alongside the Landing Field and remote sites such as Shumway Ranch and Magnesia Spring.
    5 unique versions available

  3. 1958 Map of Myoma, 1959 Print
    1958 Map of Myoma, 1959 Print
    1958 Myoma
    1959 Print · USGS
    The Coachella Valley was still a land of palm oases and isolated ranches in the late fifties. You can trace the early desert settlement at Myoma and locate historic water sources like the Thousand Palms Oasis, Chase School, and Chuckwalla Ranch.
    4 unique versions available

  4. 1958 Map of Cathedral City, 1960 Print
    1958 Map of Cathedral City, 1960 Print
    1958 Cathedral City
    1960 Print · USGS
    The mid-century Coachella Valley emerges in this survey as leisure culture begins to reshape the desert landscape alongside the Southern Pacific tracks. Genealogists can locate old landmarks like Palm Springs Dist Cem, the Palm Valley School, and the early layout of Cathedral City.
    8 unique versions available

  5. 1958 Map of Thousand Palms, 1960 Print
    1958 Map of Thousand Palms, 1960 Print
    1958 Thousand Palms
    1960 Print · USGS
    The Coachella Valley was rapidly transforming in the late fifties as ranch life met modern resort culture. You can trace the lineage of early desert settlements like Edom and Miracle Hill, or locate family-named landmarks like Chuckwalla Ranch and Macomber Palms.
    3 unique versions available

  6. 1959 Map of La Quinta, 1960 Print
    1959 Map of La Quinta, 1960 Print
    1959 La Quinta
    1960 Print · USGS
    Palm Desert and the surrounding Coachella Valley are captured here during a period of rapid mid-century growth. Researchers can trace the early layouts of Indian Wells and La Quinta alongside landmarks like the Coachella Canal and Point Happy.
    4 unique versions available

  7. 1959 Map of Palm Desert, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Palm Desert, 1961 Print
    1959 Palm Desert
    1961 Print · USGS
    The Coachella Valley was rapidly evolving in the late fifties as desert resorts expanded toward the high peaks. Genealogists and historians can locate early landmarks like Shumway Ranch, the Asbestos Mine, and the Indian Village Site.
    4 unique versions available

  8. 1959 Map of Santa Ana, 1971 Print
    1959 Map of Santa Ana, 1971 Print
    1959 Santa Ana
    1971 Print · USGS
    Southern California is captured in a decade of transformation, from the Orange County coast to the desert floor. Researchers can trace the mid-century footprints of Camp Pendleton, March Air Force Base, and the original Ortega Highway.
    3 unique versions available

End of results
Showing maps 1-8 of 8

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Palm Desert?
  • What is the oldest map of Palm Desert?
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  • Where can I download high-res historical maps of Palm Desert?
  • Are there historical topographic maps available for Palm Desert?
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  • Where are historical maps of Palm Desert sourced from?