1957 Map of Heber

About this map

The agricultural landscape of the Imperial Valley is defined here by a massive irrigation network, as seen in the late 1950s. The New River snakes across the terrain, passing landmark locations like Lyons Crossing and a small Landing Strip on its northern bank. To the south, the city of Calexico sits directly on the international boundary, marked by the All American Canal and a Border Patrol Observation Tower. The intricate grid of the valley is sustained by a alphabetized series of water ways, including the Alder Canal, Dahlia Canal, and Lotus Canal. Further north, the town of Heber is a central hub for the region, while the Imperial County Hospital and Mountain View Cemetery serve the surrounding rural population. This map documents a period of intense water management and border-town development before significant modern expansion.