1955 Map of Shadow Mountains SE

About this map

El Mirage Field stands as a primary landmark in the high desert, positioned northwest of the prominent Shadow Mtns. This mid-century survey documents a landscape of alluvial fans and dry lake beds, most notably the expanse of El Mirage Lake situated north of El Mirage Valley. The map detail reveals the emerging network of desert transit, with El Mirage Road and Palmdale Road providing regional connection while smaller arteries like Tanner Road and Old Phelan Road define the local grid. To the west, the elevation rises toward Gray Mtn, contrasting the flat, arid basin that dominates the central portion of the quadrangle. This period represents a time when the region's character was defined by wide-open spaces, limited water resources like the singular Reservoir, and the strategic utility of its dry lakebeds.