1956 Map of Bagdad

About this map

The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad corridor dictates the human footprint across this Mojave Desert landscape, connecting isolated stops like Siberia and Bagdad. Near the railroad sidings, a small Cemetery and the Trojan (Site) reflect the sparse, infrastructure-dependent settlement patterns of the mid-1950s. To the north, the Bristol Mountains and Black Ridge rise above the basin, while the southern portion of the map is dominated by the Marine Corps Training Center and the Lava Training Center. Geologic features define much of the territory, from the distinct volcanic profile of Amboy Crater to the dry expanses of Bristol Lake and Dry Lake. Mining activity is evident in the northeast at the Orange Blossom Mine, with various other prospects and a Shaft scattered near the foothills, indicating the era's ongoing mineral exploration in the Lava Hills.