1943 Map of Simmler

About this map

Soda Lake dominates the southern basin of this 1943 survey, marking the lowest point of the Carrizo Plain where ephemeral waters collect in an endorheic basin. To the east, the steep rising slopes of the Temblor Range create a formidable barrier between the plain and the Central Valley beyond, with McKittrick Summit serving as a high-altitude passage. The map documents a sparsely populated ranching landscape defined by family operations such as the McAllister Ranch, Ross Ranch, and El Chicote Ranch. The small settlement at Simmler appears as the primary hub of activity for the region, complete with the Simmler School and a junction of state routes. This document, prepared under the direction of the War Department during the Second World War, provides a precise record of the remote canyons and springs, like Carneros Spring and Walnut Spring, that were vital for survival in this arid environment.