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1952 Map of Midland

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Midland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The Little Maria Mountains dominate this California desert landscape, revealing a mid-century industrial hub centered around the company town of Midland. Operated by United States Gypsum, the settlement is depicted here with its own sewage disposal system and a Landing Strip, reflecting its self-contained nature during the peak of local mining operations. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad tracks serve as the region's lifeline, connecting remote stations like Styx, Inca, and Cox to the broader rail network.

Industrial activity is scattered throughout the mountains, from the Eagle Nest Mines in the east to the Arlington Mine and Black Jack Tunnel in the south. The map also documents the transition of earlier desert outposts, marking Gypsum Wells and Browns Well as former locations rather than active water sources. This survey provides a precise look at the specialized infrastructure, including Midland Road and Mine Road, required to extract mineral wealth from the arid terrain near McCoy Wash.