1956 Map of Castle Butte

About this map

Edwards Air Force Base and the Air Force Flight Test Center dominate this mid-century view of the High Desert, capturing a critical era of aerospace development. The landscape is a mix of strategic military infrastructure and isolated civilian outposts, including the Mojave Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station and Muroc Junction. Along the southern edge, the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad corridor links the Edwards Station and North Muroc settlements. Between these hubs, family-named landmarks like Mendiburu Ranch and Thundering Herd Ranch signify the region's agricultural endurance. The terrain is punctuated by distinctive geological features such as Castle Butte and Desert Butte, while the northern reaches transition toward the Rand Mountains. This survey provides a clear look at the intersection of Cold War military expansion and the existing ranching and mining roads like Clay Mine Road.