1947 Map of Desert Butte

About this map

Mojave Desert terrain dominates this 1947 survey of the Kern County landscape, a transition period just after the war when modern infrastructure was beginning to scribe across the arid basin. The map is defined by prominent volcanic landforms, notably the namesake Desert Butte and the more substantial Castle Butte in the northeast corner. These elevations rise sharply from the desert floor, providing critical landmarks in an otherwise feature-sparse environment. A significant administrative line, the Eighth Standard Parallel South, bisects the area, serving as the division between the Mt. Diablo and San Bernardino meridians. This surveyor’s baseline highlights the complex task of mapping the American West. Of particular interest to local historians is the segment of road marked Under Construction, illustrating the early development of transportation corridors that would eventually better connect this isolated portion of the desert to the growing California interior.