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1940 Map of Palm Springs

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Palm Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Palm Springs village core sits at the eastern foot of the San Jacinto Mountains, where the arid floor of the Coachella Valley meets the high elevations of the San Bernardino National Forest. This 1940-era survey documents the early footprint of modern resort development, including the street grids of Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs. The heavy influence of the Southern Pacific railroad is evident, with Palm Springs Station and Garnet Station serving as vital links through the San Gorgonio Pass.

The map reveals the complex intersection of indigenous lands and growing settlements, specifically the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation and Morongo Indian Reservation. Higher altitudes show established mountain retreats like Pine Cove Camp and Fern Valley tucked beneath peaks such as San Jacinto Peak and Tahquitz Peak. The drainage patterns of the Whitewater River and San Gorgonio River illustrate how water resources were managed and accessed in this desert landscape.