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1902 Map of Hesperia

Name: 1902 Topographic Map of Hesperia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1945
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1945

About this map

The California Southern R. R. cuts a precise path through this high desert landscape, marking the critical transportation corridor at the turn of the century. This survey, conducted by R. U. Goode and his team, documents the transition from the arid expanse of the Mojave Desert and Antelope Valley into the steep rises of the San Gabriel Mountains. The strategic importance of Cajon Pass is evident, serving as the gateway between the desert floor and the coastal basins.

Lower elevations feature the winding course of the Mojave River and the West Fork Mojave River, which sustain small outposts like Hesperia. To the south, the map details the complex topography of the San Bernardino National Forest, including family-named landmarks such as Glen Ranch and the rugged depths of Horsethief Canyon. The settlement patterns here reflect a landscape defined by the availability of water and the rigorous demands of mountain passage.