Join Free
1963 Map of Cactus, 1965 Print
Loading...
Loading map...

1963 Map of Cactus

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Sand Hills dominate the central topography of this Imperial County desert landscape, where shifting dunes meet the structured engineering of the mid-century Coachella Valley water system. Along the western edge, the Coachella Canal cuts a distinct line between the dunes and the flat expanse of East Mesa, marking a critical artery for regional irrigation. This intersection of natural desert barriers and human infrastructure highlights the era's reliance on large-scale water diversion to support the arid Southwest. To the northeast, the Southern Pacific railroad tracks parallel the foothills of Pilot Knob Mesa, serving the small settlement at Cactus. The map captures the delicate balance between the vast, undulating sands and the rigid corridors of transport and transit that define the Imperial Valley's development. Local drainage is represented by the ephemeral path of Tumco Wash, which drains the eastern mesas toward the lower desert floor.

Find a feature on this map

9 named features on this map. Tap any name to fly to it.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? This feature index may not catch every label — zoom into the map to look around manually.

Map Details

Date Portrayed1963
Date Published1965
PublisherU.S. Geological Survey
Map TypeTopographic
Scale1:24,000
Physical Dimensions22 x 26.8 inches

Editions of this 1963 Cactus Map

Historical Maps of Imperial County Through Time

419 maps found

Featured Locations

Source Details

SourceU.S. Geological Survey
CopyrightPublic Domain