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1959 Map of Cross Roads

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Cross Roads
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Colorado River serves as the dominant artery and political boundary through this desert landscape, separating San Bernardino County, California, from Yuma County, Arizona. Along its western bank, the settlement of Cross Roads and the desert oasis at Cienega Springs provide evidence of human habitation and travel in an otherwise arid environment. The map details a transition from the riparian environment of Empire Flat to the surrounding peaks of the Whipple Mountains and Buckskin Mountains.

A legacy of mineral exploration is heavily etched into the eastern side of the river, where numerous mining operations such as the Billy Mack Mine, Gray Eagle Mine, and Eagles Nest Mine dot the slopes. Access to these remote claims is provided by a network of primitive routes, including a primary Jeep Trail and various smaller footpaths. This 1959 survey, updated with 1970s revisions, captures the balance between specialized resource extraction and the emerging recreational presence of riverside trailer parks.