1953 Map of Vail Lake

About this map

Vail Lake dominates the northwest corner of this 1953 survey, which illustrates the transition from high-desert valley floors to the steep ridges of the Agua Tibia Mountain range. Human presence is scattered across the landscape in small settlements like Kolb and Radec, the latter of which features a small Cem and sits at the intersection of the Radec Valley and Temecula Creek. The southern half of the map is defined by the Mission Indian Reserve and a designated wilderness area, where remote features like the Crosley Homestead and Crosley Saddle suggest a history of isolated ranching or mountain habitation. The presence of the Dripping Springs Guard Sta and the Cottonwood Sch provides a look at the essential public infrastructure serving this rural stretch of the Riverside and San Diego county border during the mid-20th century.