1942 Map of Clark Lake

About this map

The Santa Rosa Mountains and Buck Ridge define the northern reaches of this arid landscape, dropping sharply into the vast Borego Valley and Clark Valley. Surveyed in the early 1940s, the map documents a sparse but vital network of springs and desert trails essential for survival in this terrain. The historic Old Santa Rosa Indian Ruins sit high in the mountains, while the lower valleys show the early agricultural footprint of the Brinnizer Ranch and Rancho De Anza. This era of the desert's history is characterized by isolated outposts like Clark Well and small educational hubs such as Canyon School and Borrego Sch, connected by the storied De Anza Trail and the emerging De Anza Road. The seasonal nature of the landscape is evident in the expanse of Clark Lake and the numerous named washes and canyons including Indian Canyon and Rockhouse Canyon.