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1957 Map of Palm Springs

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Palm Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Palm Springs and the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation are intricately woven together in this late-1950s survey, showing the desert resort city as it expands around reservation blocks. The urban core is clearly defined by early landmarks like the O'Donald Golf Course and the Palm Springs Airport, while the surrounding landscape transitions sharply from the Coachella Valley floor into the steep canyons of the San Bernardino National Forest.

Evidence of mid-century community growth appears in the numerous educational sites, including Katherine Finchy Sch, Nellie N Coffman School, and Cahuilla Sch. Beyond the city limits, the map traces the natural water systems essential to the area's development, from Tahquitz Falls and Andreas Falls to the engineered Diversion Channel. The presence of the Toll Road and several isolated camps like Caramba Camp highlight the era's recreational access to the higher elevations of the Mt San Jacinto State Park.