1956 Map of Salton

About this map

The Salton Sea dominates the northeastern corner of this 1956 survey, reaching an elevation of 235 feet below sea level. This specific shoreline, north of the Riverside and Imperial County line, reveals a landscape defined by the Southern Pacific railroad corridor and the establishing borders of Salton Sea State Park. The map documents a period of early desert development along the water, where Salton Beach and Betz Beach were accessible via primitive Jeep Trails. To the west, the expansive Torres Martinez Indian Reservation occupies the arid basin floor, largely undeveloped save for isolated markers like the Flight Course Pylon and a lonely Well. This document captures the intersection of industrial rail infrastructure, protected tribal lands, and the nascent recreational push into one of the lowest points in North America.