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1958 Map of Mortmar

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Mortmar
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Salton Sea State Park occupies the lower portion of this 1950s survey, illustrating the desert landscape before modern development fully reshaped the shoreline. The Southern Pacific railroad line runs parallel to the northeastern shore, passing through the small siding of Mortmar and near the burgeoning area of Desert Beach. Further inland, the massive engineering of the Coachella Canal cuts across the arid basin, providing the vital water infrastructure necessary for regional agriculture and settlement.

To the north, the terrain rises sharply into the Mecca Hills and Orocopia Mountains. This rugged section is marked by natural water sources and landmarks like Sheep Hole Oasis, Hidden Spring, and Shavers Well. The map also captures the Torres Martinez Indian Reservation and several geologic features such as The Grotto and Painted Canyon, highlighting the intersection of indigenous lands, desert ecology, and early mid-century infrastructure.