1957 Map of Palm Springs

About this map

Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley are captured here as the mid-century resort economy and suburban footprint began to expand across the desert floor. The map highlights the contrast between the growing city street grid and the ancient landscape of the San Jacinto Mountains, where a network of remote sites like Dark Canyon Camp and Fern Basin Camp served recreational travelers. In the valley, the Southern Pacific railroad runs through the San Gorgonio Pass, passing Palms Springs Station and the White Water PO. Grounded in the region's diverse heritage, the map identifies numerous schools like Smoke Tree Sch and Agua Caliente Sch, as well as the Colorado River Aqueduct, which illustrates the vital infrastructure required to support life in this arid environment before the post-war population boom reached its peak.