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1917 Map of Elizabeth Lake

Name: 1917 Topographic Map of Elizabeth Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1917
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1917

About this map

Chief Engineer Wm. Mulholland and the Board of Public Service Commissioners collaborated on this 1917 study, which documents the critical infrastructure of the Los Angeles Aqueduct as it traverses the high desert. The map captures the Antelope Valley and the northern reaches of the Santa Barbara National Forest during a period of rapid hydraulic and transit development. The infrastructure is underscored by the Antelope Valley Pumping Sta and various ranches like Ritter Ranch and Garrison Ranch, reflecting the early agricultural and utility footprint of the region.

Transportation corridors are dominated by the Southern Pacific and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroads, which served early desert hubs like Lancaster and Rosamond. In the mountainous south, the Sierra Pelona range is marked by isolated mining operations such as the Red Rover Mine and the Baby Eagle Mine. Community life is evidenced by scattered rural schools, including the Esperanza School and Agua Dulce School, providing essential locations for genealogists tracing early High Desert settlers.