1951 Map of Coso Peak

About this map

Coso sits at the heart of this high-desert landscape, where the extraction of precious metals and the management of water resources defined the mid-century economy. Surveyed shortly after World War II, the map reveals an environment transitioning into heavy military use, with the Naval Ordnance Test Station and its rifle range encompassing much of the terrain. Mineral interests remain prominent through the presence of the Silver Spoon Mine, Mariposa Mine, and El Conejo Mine, while the scarcity of water is evidenced by the density of named springs such as Indian Gardens Spr and China Gardens Spr. To the east, the Argus Range rises above the Etcheron Valley, while southern features like Wild Horse Mesa and Louisiana Butte anchor the desolate topography. The inclusion of isolated dwellings like Dead End Cabin and remote outposts like Junction Ranch provides a window into the survival and logistics of the California desert during this era.