1972 Map of Melville Lake

About this map

Upper Johnson Valley defines this arid landscape, where the ephemeral basins of Melville Lake and Means Lake anchor a region of high desert terrain. Grounded in a 1970 aerial survey, the map details a sparse but deliberate network of human activity in the San Bernardino desert. Early ranching footprints like Shehorn Ranch appear alongside remote infrastructure, including a prominent Landing Strip and specialized water sources like Means Well and Dry Well. The desert's physical character is marked by extensive Sand Dunes and localized industrial activity at a Quarry and various mineral Prospects. Transport throughout the valley relies on a grid of dirt tracks and named routes such as Pony Road and Cole Rd, illustrating the intersection of recreation, ranching, and resource exploration in the early 1970s.