1959 Map of Palm Desert

About this map

Palm Desert and the surrounding Coachella Valley are shown here during a transformative era of mid-century development. The map documents established communities like Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and La Quinta alongside isolated outposts such as Shumway Ranch and the Indian Village site. To the south, the landscape rises sharply into the Santa Rosa Mountains, where the San Bernardino National Forest and the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation preserve a more primitive character. Industrial and agricultural infrastructure is evident in the Coachella Canal and scattered resource extraction sites, including the Asbestos Mine, Dolomite Mine, and Garnet Queen Mine. Transportation is anchored by the Southern Pacific railroad in the north and the winding Pines to Palms Highway that climbs toward Ribbonwood.