1957 Map of Kerens

About this map

The Union Pacific railroad cuts through the high desert of San Bernardino County, supporting small outposts like Kelso, Glasgow, and Kerens. This 1950s landscape is defined by its dramatic relief and shifting sands, where the massive Kelso Dunes meet the northern edge of the Bristol Mountains. The mapping captures a network of ephemeral watercourses including Kelso Wash, Devils Playground Wash, and Budweiser Wash that drain toward the expansive Playground. Inland from the rail line, the Onyx Mine sits tucked into the slopes of the Old Dad Mountains, reflecting the mineral extraction common in this part of the Mojave. Numerous Jeep Trails spider out from the railroad, providing the only access through the dunes and mountain passes to remote survey points like VABM 3350 Coronado.