1954 Map of Hidalgo Mtn

About this map

The Marine Corps Training Center dominates this high-desert landscape in San Bernardino County, where the dry expanses of Quackenbush Lake and Emerson Lake reflect the arid character of the Mojave. This mid-century survey captures a region defined by its rugged isolation and strategic military utility, with the prominent peak of Hidalgo Mtn and the high point at Creole VABM 4435 serving as primary landmarks. Evidence of local industrial activity is found at the Crystal Mine and a nearby Mill, while essential water sources like Ames Well anchor the sparse human footprint in this environment. A network of Jeep Trails provides the only access through the basin, illustrating the area's transition from prospecting to tactical training during the 1950s.