1973 Map of Ridgecrest North

About this map

The NAF China Lake (Armitage Field) dominates this high desert landscape, highlighting the mid-1970s growth of Ridgecrest as a vital military and research hub. The town's expansion is evident through a dense network of residential streets such as West Drummond Ave and Anita St, supported by community institutions like Burroughs High Sch, Las Flores Sch, and Richmond Sch. The infrastructure of the era is marked by the U S Government Railroad and a prominent Aqueduct, which underscore the logistical demands of the Naval Weapons Center. To the east, the dry basins of Mirror Lake and Satellite Lake contrast with developed features like the China Lake Golf Club and Kern County Regional Park. Local landmarks, including the Drive-in Theater and several observation towers in Little Lake Valley, provide a detailed view of the region's mid-century transition into a specialized defense community.