1957 Map of Painted Gorge

About this map

The Old Overland Stage Route cuts across this landscape, tracing a historical transportation corridor through the Yuha Desert. In the mid-20th century, this area served significant military and industrial purposes, as evidenced by the Recovery Parachute Test Range and the Carrizo Impact Area. A complex network of drainage systems including Coyote Wash and Palm Canyon Wash defines the lowlands, while the Coyote Mountains and the colorful Painted Gorge provide prominent topographic relief. The map also records the transit history of the region, featuring the Arizona and San Diego Eastern route and a Mining Railroad leading toward multiple Gravel Pits. These features reflect a period where the desert was utilized for both infrastructure testing and resource extraction.