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1955 Map of El Centro

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of El Centro
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Colorado River and its complex network of man-made irrigation channels dominate this mid-century portrait of the Imperial Valley and the surrounding desert. The extensive reach of the All American Canal, Main Canal, and Coachella Branch illustrates the massive hydraulic engineering efforts that transformed this arid landscape into a productive agricultural hub centered on El Centro and Brawley. Along the international border, the twin cities of Calexico and Mexicali anchor the southern end of the valley, while the Southern Pacific railroad and the Holton Interurban line provide the vital transport links for the region's produce.

Beyond the irrigated fields, the landscape shifts abruptly to the Sand Hills and the rugged Cargo Muchacho Mountains. Here, the map documents a different economy of extraction, with specific labels for the Tumco Mines, American Girl Mine, and Old Senator Mine. To the west, the arid basin of the Yuha Desert and the Superstition Mountains flank the valley, while the massive Laguna Salada (Macuata) is visible south of the border in Baja California.