1915 Map of Searles Lake

About this map

Mining operations and early industrial infrastructure dominate this Mojave Desert landscape just before the First World War. The region is anchored by the bustling gold and silver districts near Randsburg and Johannesburg, where the Rand Mountains meet the high desert floor. To the north, the massive dry expanse of Searles Lake serves as a hub for chemical extraction, supported by the Trona RR and the soda works at Trona. The map reveals a complex network of resource extraction, including the Arando Mine in the Argus Range and Summit Diggings near the El Paso Mountains. This era represents a peak for the local rail-and-mine economy, with the Southern Pacific and its Owenyo Branch connecting remote sidings like Mabel Siding and Terese Siding to the broader California market. Water sources, critical for survival and industry, are clearly marked at Lone Willow Spring and Cuddeback Lake.