1956 Map of Phelan

About this map

Phelan and the surrounding high desert ranchlands are captured here during a period of transitional growth, with revisions from 1968 showing new residential developments and roads superimposed over the original 1956 land patterns. The landscape is defined by the steep descent from the San Bernardino National Forest into the alluvial fans of the Mojave Desert. Named family properties like Goss Ranch, Johnson Ranch, and Buttemer Ranch emphasize the area's agricultural roots, while the presence of the Yucca Inn and the Fire Control Station at Phelan point to the community's role as a desert crossroads. To the south, the topography dramatically shifts at Cajon Canyon and Horse Canyon, where the rugged mountain slopes meet the valley floor. Transportation corridors such as Phelan Road and Beekley Road connect these ranching outposts, while industrial features like a Quarry and scattered wells reflect the local extraction economy.