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1943 Map of Inyokern

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Inyokern
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad line and the Los Angeles Aqueduct define the industrial and logistical backbone of this desert landscape during the early 1940s. Centered on the town of Inyokern, the map reveals a region transitioning from isolated ranching outposts like Carr Ranch and Stayer Ranch to a strategic military hub, evidenced by the expansive U S Naval Reservation.

Resource extraction and transit infrastructure are prominent, with the Hi-Peak Mine and Gravel Pit located near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Travelers and residents utilized specific landmarks for navigation and survival, such as Harts Place, Bradys, and various water sources including Inyo Well and Powers Well. The survey captures the convergence of natural canyons like Indian Wells Canyon and Freeman Canyon with man-made features such as the Construction Road and the State Highway Maintenance Sta.