1941 Map of Edom

About this map

Desert Hot Springs and the northern reaches of the Coachella Valley are captured here during a period of expanding desert ranching and early date cultivation. This 1941 aerial survey shows a landscape transitioning from the wild canyons of the Little San Bernardino Mountains and Joshua Tree National Monument to the agricultural developments along the Southern Pacific rail line. Agricultural progress is evident in specialized sites like Snyder Date Gardens and Wonder Date Gardens, while the desert's natural water sources are marked at Willow Hole, Thousand Palms Oasis, and Biskra Palms. The infrastructure of the era is anchored by the Colorado River Aqueduct cutting across the northern foothills and the Dillon Highway providing access to numerous family-named properties, including Two Bunch Palms Ranch, Circle B Ranch, and Ferguson Ranch. The boundaries of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation are clearly delineated, intersecting with the burgeoning settlements of Cathedral City and Edom.