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1940 Map of Canyon Spring

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Canyon Spring
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The Hayfield Reservoir serves as a focal point for this desert landscape, situated at the base of the Eagle Mountains. This 1940 survey by the War Department and Corps of Engineers documents a critical infrastructure corridor in Riverside County just before the mid-century expansion of the region. The map highlights the early development of Hayfield and the isolated Skylark Ranch, providing a window into the remote agricultural and ranching efforts of the era.

Water sources are carefully recorded, from natural points like Canyon Spring and the drainage of Salton Creek to the artificial Tabaseco Tank. The southern portion of Joshua Tree National Monument transitions into the Orocopia Mountains and the Chocolate Mountains, revealing a terrain defined by desert basins and rugged summits. Local landmarks such as Shaver Summit along the highway and the Clemens Well offer significant reference points for those researching the early transport and water networks of the Colorado Desert.