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1902 Map of Hesperia

Name: 1902 Topographic Map of Hesperia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1936
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1936

About this map

The Southern California railroad serves as the primary artery through this high desert landscape, connecting the burgeoning settlement of Hesperia to the mountain passes. The map reveals a land defined by its dramatic elevation changes, where the Mojave Desert and Antelope Valley meet the rising peaks of the Angeles National Forest. Water sources like the Mohave River and Oro Grande Wash dictate the locations of early outposts, including Las Flores Ranch and Glen Ranch at the mountain base.

Transportation corridors follow the natural topography, with routes tracing through Cajon Pass and Summit Valley. The detail captured by surveyors W. T. Turner and D. L. Reaburn at the close of the 19th century provides a clear look at the early ranching and rail infrastructure before modern development transformed the region. Researchers can trace the winding paths of Horsethief Canyon and Cajon Canyon, which served as critical passages between the high desert and the coastal basin.