1940 Map of Eagle Tank

About this map

The high desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Monument was defined by its arid geography and hard-rock extraction during the mid-twentieth century. This survey documents a critical period of prospecting across the Pinto Mtns and Eagle Mountains, revealing a cluster of remote workings and water sources essential for desert survival. Key mining operations like the Iron Chief Mine (Abandoned) and the Black Eagle Mine speak to the region's mineral industry, while names like Sunrise Mill and Mission Mine indicate the specific locations where ore was processed. The presence of water, noted at Eagle Tank, Mission Well, and Sunrise Well, provides a glimpse into the logistical challenges of maintaining industrial life in the Pinto Basin.