1973 Map of Twelve Gauge Lake

About this map

Twelve Gauge Lake and the surrounding high desert of San Bernardino County are captured here in the early 1970s, showcasing a landscape defined by industrial infrastructure and topographic extremes. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad corridor cuts across the center of the sheet, paralleled by significant Pipelines that underscore the region's role as a transit and utility artery. To the south, the terrain rises sharply toward the slopes of Iron Mountain, while the northern reaches open into the flats of Water Valley. Scattered Mine symbols and various Prospect sites suggest ongoing mineral exploration in the arid soils. Human presence is otherwise marked by specialized facilities like the Hawes Auxillary Airport and a network of desert thoroughfares including Harper Lake Road and Helendale Rd.