1943 Map of Canyon Spring

About this map

Joshua Tree National Monument occupies the northern reaches of this 1943 survey, where the Eagle Mountains dominate a landscape of high desert basins and sharp ridges. The central feature is the Hayfield Reservoir, a critical component of the regional water infrastructure supported by survey points like Hayfield East Base and Hayfield West Base. The map reveals a mid-century desert corridor defined by U.S. Route 60 and 70, which passes through the small settlement at Shaver Summit. To the south, the Orocopia Mountains and Chocolate Mountains hem in the drainage of Salton Creek. This area, mapped by the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army during the war years, documents isolated desert resources like Canyon Spring, Clemens Well, and Tabaseco Tank, which were vital for travelers and ranchers in this arid environment.