1956 Map of Colton Well

About this map

The 7 IL Ranch stands as a focal point of settlement in the north-central San Bernardino desert, situated near the head of Barber Canyon. In the mid-1950s, this landscape was defined by the precarious search for water and minerals, evidenced by a network of isolated outposts like Colton Well, Bearclaw Well, and Bonanza King Well. Resource extraction is prominent throughout the terrain, with the Silver King Mine in the northwest and the Goldhammer Mine further south, connected by a series of primitive routes including the Hidden Valley Road and various jeep trails. To the south, the Clipper Mountains rise sharply above Hidden Valley, offering essential water sources like Chuckwalla Spring and Hummingbird Spring. The mapping of the Blind Hills and Halfway Hill illustrates the importance of high-ground triangulation points like Colton VABM 3405 for navigation in this arid environment.