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1956 Map of Valerie

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Valerie
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The Torres Martinez Indian Reservation occupies much of this landscape, where the arid valley floor meets the steep eastern slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains. This mid-century survey records a desert environment being shaped by water management and cultural heritage, most notably at the Early Indian Fish Traps and nearby Petroglyphs situated along the mountain base. These archaeological markers sit just above the former shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla, contrasting with the modern irrigation efforts indicated by the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel and numerous grid-aligned agricultural plots.

Local settlements like Valerie, Martinez, and 100 Palms are small, dispersed hubs defined by their proximity to Thermal Airport and the network of numbered avenues. Cultural sites including the Martinez Cemetery and Toro Cem provide specific points of interest for genealogists. The map also traces a series of infrastructure features, such as the Pipeline and various Jeep Trails, that navigate the transition from the irrigated valley to the high ridges of Toro Canyon.