1957 Map of El Centro

About this map

The city of El Centro serves as the focal point of this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by an extensive network of irrigation infrastructure. This desert agricultural hub is crisscrossed by systems like the Central Canal, Rose Canal, and numerous laterals including Date Lateral 10 and Eucalyptus Lateral 17. The urban core is well-developed, housing the Court House, City Hall, and the Imperial Valley College. To the north, the smaller settlement of Imperial is distinguished by its own civic footprint, featuring the Imperial County Airport and the nearby Fairgrounds. The presence of the Southern Pacific railroad and specialized facilities like the Cotton Gin and several Labor Camps highlights the region's historical reliance on industrial-scale farming and transport during this era of California's development.