1954 Map of Hidalgo Mtn

About this map

Hidalgo Mtn dominates the high desert landscape of this San Bernardino County survey, which captures the region during a period of transition into a dedicated military exercise area. Much of the terrain is defined by the Marine Corps Training Center, illustrating the mid-century expansion of defense infrastructure into the California interior. Despite the military presence, the map preserves evidence of earlier resource extraction and ranching, such as the Crystal Mine and a Mill situated near Ames Well. The hydrology of the area is represented by seasonal dry features like Quackenbush Lake and Emerson Lake, which sit at the base of the mountains. Several Well sites and a network of Jeep Trails snake through the arid flats, providing a clear record of 20th-century desert navigation and land use.