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1956 Map of Baker

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Baker
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The arid expanse of the Mojave Desert defines this mid-century landscape, where the settlement of Baker serves as a critical junction near the southern edge of the sheet. The map documents an area deeply tied to mineral extraction and early transport, centered on the expansive dry basins of Silver Lake and Soda Lake. The Old Railroad Grade traces a linear path through the valley floor, connecting defunct stops like Riggs and Talc to the larger regional network.

Industrial activity is evident in the presence of the Silver Lake Mine and the Aka Mine, while the Silver Lake Airport and a small Cemetery near Baker mark the human footprint on this high-desert floor. The surrounding terrain is framed by the Soda Mountains and the Avawatz Mountains, cut by seasonal watercourses like Salt Creek and Riggs Wash. For the researcher, the map captures the transition from rail-dependent mining to the motorized era, signified by the emerging Jeep Trail network and modern infrastructure like the Water Tank Substation.