1988 Map of Blackwater Well

About this map

Black Hills dominate this arid landscape within the eastern reaches of San Bernardino County, where the desert floor is marked by the eponymous Blackwater Well. This 1988 provisional survey captures the area at a time when much of the eastern terrain fell within the boundaries of the Naval Weapons Center, highlighting the intersection of military land use and the High Desert. The map serves as a record of early water management and mining attempts, featuring a desert Guzzler for wildlife or livestock and a lonely Prospect in the central hills. Wide expanses like Grass Valley are traced only by a network of 4wd tracks, suggesting the isolated and undeveloped nature of the region during the late twentieth century. These primitive routes provide the primary access through the townships, connecting scattered benchmarks and natural landmarks across the basin and range topography.