1955 Map of Rodman Mountains

About this map

Rodman Mountains and the surrounding high desert of San Bernardino County are defined here by a mid-century landscape of extraction and ancient history. The terrain is marked by significant mining operations, including the Camp Rock Mine, Bessemer Mine, and Silver Bell Mine, alongside numerous unnamed shafts and prospects that suggest a period of active exploration. In the lower elevations, Upper Johnson Valley transitions into the southern reaches of the Marine Corps Training Center. Cultural heritage is preserved through a label for Indian Petroglyphs located within a field of lava, while survival in this arid environment is tied to water sources like Kane Springs and Sheep Spring. A remote Landing Field near the Bessemer Mine further illustrates the era's reliance on air and primitive road access to reach these mountain ranges.