1957 Map of Brawley

About this map

Agricultural precision and the engineered desert landscape define this mid-century portrait of Imperial County. The city of Brawley serves as the hub for a massive network of irrigation, with the Westside Main Canal and dozens of smaller arteries like Lilac Canal and Rose Canal feeding the fertile valley. The New River carves a winding path through the geometric grid of fields, while the Southern Pacific Railroad and a prominent Sugar Refinery signal the area's industrial importance during this era. Local institutions such as Union High School, Pioneer Memorial Hospital, and several neighborhood schools like Reid School and Witter School appear alongside public spaces including Wienering Park and Hawthorne Park. This map details the physical transition of the town as it expanded towards the Brawley Municipal Airport and Riverview Cemetery.