1956 Map of Barstow

About this map

The Mojave River valley serves as a critical transportation corridor in the mid-1950s, where the infrastructure of the Santa Fe Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads converges near Barstow. The town is depicted as a growing hub, featuring established community sites like Foglesong Park, Cameron Sch, and a Sewage Treatment plant. Beyond the town center, the landscape is defined by a mix of agriculture and industry, with the Hinkley Valley Grange supporting local farmers while the Waterman Mine and Pedry Mine indicate the region's enduring mineral interests. This era captures the transition of the desert floor into a more structured residential and logistical landscape, evidenced by the development at Lenwood and the presence of contemporary leisure sites like the Drive-in Theater. Smaller settlements and family landmarks, including Johnstons Corner, Hinkley, and the Baxter Ranch, anchor the outlying territories.