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1955 Map of Twentynine Palms

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Twentynine Palms
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

The Twentynine Palms Indian Res and the Oasis of Mara anchor the center of this high-desert landscape in the mid-1950s. The settlement of Twentynine Palms is shown in a period of transition, with established landmarks like The Plaza and Four Corners serving as local hubs. To the north, the massive Marine Corps Training Center occupies a large portion of the basin near Mesquite Lake, while the southern portion of the map is dominated by the granite formations and desert flora of Joshua Tree National Monument.

Deep within the mountainous terrain, historical resource extraction is evidenced by the Desert Queen Mine and various shafts. Early infrastructure for desert living is visible through features like Barker Dam, Smith Ranch, and the Landing Strip. The map also captures several important desert water sources, including Fortynine Palms Oasis and Mesquite Spring, which were vital for early inhabitants and the local ecosystem.