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1993 Map of Ridgecrest

Name: 1993 Topographic Map of Ridgecrest
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1993
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1993

About this map

Ridgecrest and the industrial corridors of the Indian Wells Valley define this 1993 study of the high desert. The landscape is dominated by the sprawling operations of the Naval Weapons Center, including NAF China Lake and its associated research infrastructure. To the east, the mineral-rich basin of Searles Lake supports a string of company towns and processing sites such as Trona, Argus, and Westend. This area reveals a complex economy of scale, where vast salt evaporators and Borax Flat meet the technical footprint of Cerro Coso College.

Transitioning from the valley floor to the surrounding heights, the map traces the rugged boundaries of the Argus Range and Slate Range. Historic extraction is evident at the Star of the West Mine and Mohawk Mine, while the southern reaches feature the striking geological formations of the Trona Pinnacles Recreation Lands. The transit network is anchored by the Southern Pacific railroad, which served the vital chemical and military interests of this remote corner of Kern and Inyo counties.