1915 Map of Searles Lake

About this map

The vast saline expanse of Searles Lake and its industrial Borax Soda Works anchor this high-desert landscape in the years following the 1911-1913 surveys. The region is defined by a dense network of mining settlements and rail infrastructure, including the Trona RR and the Southern Pacific Owenyo Branch. To the south, the gold and tungsten boom is evident in the cluster of towns including Randsburg, Johannesburg, and Atolia, while the presence of St Elmo and Summit Diggings highlights the intensive mineral exploration of the Rand Mountains. This era marks the early operation of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which cuts through the western portion of the map near the El Paso Mountains. Local history is preserved in vanished post offices and stops like Muerzo Leliter PO and Terese Siding, alongside remote outpost camps like Opal Camp and Coolgardie Camp.