1954 Map of Glamis SW

About this map

East Sand Dunes and shifting desert topography dominate this mid-century survey of the California desert. The landscape is defined by the stark contrast between the natural Sand Dunes and the infrastructure introduced by the Bureau of Reclamation and the military. In the northeast corner, the Coachella Canal cuts through the arid terrain, representing a massive effort to bring water to the Imperial Valley. Military activity is evidenced by a designated Naval Reservation which includes a Landing Field and a network of Jeep Trails, signaling the area's use for training or observation during the post-war era. The survey, based on work by the USBR, reveals the precise contours of the Mesa and the relentless movement of sand across the eastern portion of the county, providing a detailed record of this environment before modern developments further altered the desert floor.