1956 Map of Bagdad

About this map

Bagdad and Siberia anchor this mid-century survey of the Mojave Desert, serving as key stops along the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad. The landscape is defined by its volcanic and arid features, from the prominent Amboy Crater in the south to the Lava Hills and the expansive dry bed of Bristol Lake. Industrial and military activity is evident through the presence of the Orange Blossom Mine, scattered prospects, and a large portion of the Marine Corps Training Center occupying the southern reaches. The map captures a transition period for these desert outposts, recording the Trojan (Site) and a lone Cemetery near the rail line, while a series of pipelines and a Landing Strip indicate the increasing infrastructure required for remote desert operations and transit in the 1950s.