1955 Map of Mecca

About this map

Agricultural development and intricate water management systems define this mid-century desert landscape at the northern edge of the Salton Sea. The settlement of Mecca serves as a hub, positioned along the Southern Pacific railroad and surrounded by a grid of numbered avenues and streets that intersect the arid terrain. The map captures the vital infrastructure of the Coachella Valley, including the Coachella Canal, the Coachella Valley Storm Water Channel, and the winding course of the Whitewater River.