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1957 Map of El Centro

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of El Centro
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Imperial and El Centro define the heart of the Imperial Valley in this mid-century portrait, revealing an engineered landscape where irrigation is king. The map documents an intricate network of water infrastructure, including the Lotus Canal, Dahlia Canal, and dozens of laterals like Date Lateral 10 and Eucalyptus Lateral 17 that sustain the desert agriculture. The urban centers are densely packed with civic and educational landmarks, from the Court House and Imperial Valley College to numerous neighborhood schools like Harding Sch and Wright Sch.

Transport and industry pulse through the valley via the Southern Pacific railroad and the San Diego and Arizona Eastern. This 1950s survey shows the area's mid-century expansion, capturing the Imperial County Airport with its Airway Beacon, the Fairgrounds, and even a Drive-in Theater. Rural life is anchored by a Cotton Gin and several scattered labor camps, reflecting the region's deep agricultural roots and the essential labor required for the valley's productivity.