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1956 Map of Harpers Well

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Harpers Well
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Lower Borrego Valley and the arid expanse of West Mesa dominate this mid-century desert survey, where life and transit are defined by sparse water sources and rugged travel routes. The historic Harpers Well stands as a vital landmark in this landscape of shifting sands and seasonal drainage, connected to the surrounding territory by the Old Kane Spring Road and numerous primitive paths. The desert topography is deeply etched by the courses of San Felipe Creek, Carrizo Wash, and Tarantula Wash, while the Superstition Hills rise to the east.

Industrial history is physically imprinted on the land in the form of a Mining Railroad Dike situated near the Fish Creek Mts. This infrastructure, along with small identified points like Salk and Cris, suggests the localized mineral exploration and water management efforts common to the Imperial Valley hinterlands during the mid-20th century. The map also clearly delineates the Sea Level contour, providing a stark reminder of the region's unique below-sea-level elevation.