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1955 Map of Silver Bell Mine

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Silver Bell Mine
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1992
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1992

About this map

The Lava Bed Mountains dominate this arid expanse of San Bernardino County, where volcanic activity and industrial extraction define the 1950s landscape. Industrial efforts are concentrated around the namesake Silver Bell Mine and a Cinder Pit, alongside various unnamed prospects that hint at the region's mineral potential. The topography is deeply scarred by drainage features like Box Canyon, while rare water sources such as Sheep Spr provide critical landmarks in an otherwise parched environment.

Large portions of the southeastern territory are designated as the Marine Corps Training Center, signaling the mid-century transition of the California desert into a primary military testing ground. This map captures the intersection of natural volcanic geology at Lava and Iron Ridge with the human imprints of mining and defense, offering a precise view of this specialized landscape before later desert developments.