1953 Map of Quartz Peak

About this map

The Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range dominates the western landscape of this mid-century survey, illustrating the extensive military presence in the California desert during the early Cold War. This arid terrain is defined by its isolation and its history of resource extraction, centered around the Black Mountains and the prominent Quartz Peak. The map documents a rugged economic life dependent on scattered water sources like Midway Well and Peter Kane Water Hole. Significant mining operations are visible, including the Paymaster Mine, Rainbow Mine, and the Gold Basin Rand Mine, alongside a network of Jeep Trails and the primary Blythe Ogilby Road. The presence of the Imperial Gables settlement and a dedicated Landing Strip suggest a period when even the most remote desert outposts were integrated into regional transport and defense networks.