1959 Map of Salton Sea

About this map

The Salton Sea dominates the western basin of this desert landscape, its southern shores lined with a complex network of irrigation infrastructure including the Coachella Canal, East Highline Canal, and Vail Supply Canal. To the east, the Colorado River serves as the boundary between California and Arizona, sustaining the Colorado River Indian Reservation and agricultural hubs like Blythe and Ripley. This 1960s perspective reveals the heavy imprint of mid-century federal presence, from the Salton Sea Test Base on the water's edge to the expansive Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range stretching across the Chocolate Mountains. Industrial extraction is visible through dozens of labeled sites such as the Eagle Mountain Mine, Arlington Mine, and Red Cloud Mine. Between these active zones lie the protected lands of Joshua Tree National Monument and the Kofa National Game Range, highlighting the era's balance of military, mining, and conservation interests.