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1958 Map of Ritter Ridge

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Ritter Ridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The San Andreas Rift Zone creates a striking diagonal alignment across this landscape, defining the corridor where Leona Valley and Anaverde Valley meet. This tectonic feature organizes the local geography, with Ritter Ridge and Portal Ridge rising to the north while the substantial mass of the Sierra Pelona dominates the southern half of the sheet. The settlement of Palmdale is visible on the eastern edge, supported by the Southern Pacific railroad and the waters of Lake Palmdale.

Hard-rock mining operations are concentrated in the southwestern canyons, including the Puritan Mine, Red Rover Mine, and Governor Mine. These sites, along with scattered outposts like Messer Ranch and City Ranch, reflect a rural economy transitioning into more modern infrastructure, evidenced by the Hauser Microwave Sta and the Antelope Valley Country Club. The map provides a meticulous record of water management, from the Lake Elizabeth area to various unnamed reservoirs and pipelines that navigate the steep terrain of Acton Canyon.