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1956 Map of Frink

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Frink
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Salton Sea dominates the southwestern quadrant of this mid-century desert landscape, where the shoreline meets specialized recreation and military zones. The area around Bombay Beach and Salton Sea State Park contrasts with the massive Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range and the Seaplane Landing Area located offshore. Along the northeastern edge of the water, the Wister Waterfowl Management Area indicates a deliberate effort to manage wildlife within this arid sink.

Infrastructure for water and transit defines the settlement pattern, particularly the Coachella Canal with its series of numbered siphons like Siphon 15 and Siphon 16. The Southern Pacific railroad runs parallel to the shore, connecting small sidings and communities such as Frink, Wister, and Niland. Unique local features like the Tropical Fish Farm and Hot Mineral Spa suggest a desert economy built on geothermal resources and the fringes of the Salton Sea’s mid-century popularity.