1959 Map of Pacifico Mountain

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad traverses the high desert corridor of Soledad Pass in the late 1950s, marking the transition between the arid valley floor and the interior of the Angeles National Forest. Small settlements like Vincent and Soledad anchor the northwestern corner, while the interior landscape is defined by remote outposts and family holdings such as Wagonwheel Ranch, Niles Ranch, and Montgomery Ranch. This period captures a balance between early resource extraction, evidenced by the Gold Queen Mine, and the growing recreational importance of the high country, seen in the numerous campgrounds along the slopes of Pacifico Mountain. The infrastructure of the era is remarkably clear, from the Little Rock Dam and its reservoir in the northeast to the various gaging stations and firebreaks that crisscross Mt. Emma and Bare Mountain.