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1959 Map of Palm Desert

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Palm Desert
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The Coachella Valley provides a sharp contrast between irrigated desert agriculture and the rising recreational developments of the late 1950s. Communities like Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Indian Wells are shown during an era of significant growth, alongside the Bermuda Dunes Country Club. Water management is central to the landscape, evidenced by the Coachella Canal and the Coachella Valley Storm Water Channel.

Elevations rise sharply into the Santa Rosa Mountains and San Bernardino National Forest, where the terrain transitions to remote peaks like Toro Peak and Santa Rosa Mtn. Historical land use is visible in the scattered mining sites, such as the Asbestos Mine and Garnet Queen Mine, and the preservation of indigenous history at the Indian Village (Site) within the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation. The presence of the Nightingale School and various isolated springs like Dos Palmas Spring highlights the early infrastructure of these high-desert settlements.