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1951 Map of Blythe

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Blythe
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Colorado River serves as the focal point of this 1951 survey, defining the border between California and Arizona and shaping the agricultural landscape of the valley. On the California side, the town of Blythe shows a developing urban grid, featuring civic and educational landmarks such as City Hall, Palo Verde College, and the local High Sch. The purple revisions reflect the community's expansion through 1970, capturing growth near East Blythe and the surrounding levee systems.

Across the river in Arizona, the settlement of Ehrenberg sits near several Gravel Pits and the Arizona Checking Station. The map illustrates the complex water management required for the region, showing an extensive network of drains and canals like Goodman Slough. Transportation is anchored by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which crosses the desert terrain punctuated by numerous seasonal washes, including Cinnabar Wash and Limekiln Wash.