1954 Map of Amboy Crater

About this map

Amboy Crater dominates the southern landscape of this mid-century survey, surrounded by an expansive field of Lava that pushes toward the edges of Bristol Lake. The northern half of the map is defined by the sharp transition from the Lava Hills and Bristol Mountains down to the rail corridor. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad serves as the primary artery through the desert, passing the settlement of Bagdad and its associated Cemetery. This area illustrates the stark desert geography where industrial extraction and military presence meet, as seen in the boundary of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Small-scale operations are indicated by a Mine and Pit scattered near the foothills, while a Landing Field near the eastern margin suggests the reliance on aerial access in this isolated Mojave corridor during the post-war years.