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1956 Map of Phelan

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Phelan
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The high desert community of Phelan serves as the focal point of this mid-century survey, situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. This period reveals a landscape transitioning from isolated ranching outposts to a structured grid of rural roads. Named family holdings like Goss Ranch, Johnson Ranch, and Wilson Ranch are scattered across the alluvial slopes, while the village core features a Fire Control Station and the Yucca Inn.

Southward, the terrain shifts abruptly into the northern reaches of the San Bernardino National Forest, where steep drainages like Cajon Canyon and Horse Canyon descend toward the pass. The local reliance on seasonal water and resource extraction is evident through features such as Sheep Creek, several Reservoirs, and a Quarry located near the forest boundary. At the intersection of mountain and desert routes, Mountain Top Junction marks a key navigational point for travelers entering the Victor Valley.