1956 Map of San Bernardino

Beyond the San Bernardino Mountains and their recreational hubs at Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake, the landscape shifts to the high desert. Here, the military presence is dominant with Edwards Air Force Base and George AFB situated near growing desert communities like Victorville and Apple Valley. This survey captures the transition from the traditional mining economy, represented by the Camp Rock Mine, to the modern aerospace and suburban growth that redefined Southern California in the 1950s.