Loading map...

1953 Map of Mountain Springs Canyon

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Mountain Springs Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Coso Range and Argus Range dominate this mid-century desert landscape, illustrating a region defined by high-altitude mining and military isolation. The eastern slopes of the Argus Range are dotted with extractive history, featuring the Mammoth Mine, Wild Rose Mine, and the Star of the West Mine tucked into steep canyons. These sites suggest a period of intense prospecting and mineral development within the high desert terrain.

Lower elevations transition into the Coso Basin and the broad Indian Wells Valley, where the presence of the Naval Ordnance Test Station indicates the significant mid-century shift toward federal military use of the California desert. Traces of early settlement remain at the Paxton Ranch (Site), while features like Airport Lake and several Dry Lakes highlight the arid environment. The map also documents the convergence of Inyo, Kern, and San Bernardino counties in this remote corner of the state.