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1956 Map of Victorville NW

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Victorville NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

The Shadow Mountains dominate this high desert landscape, serving as a hub of mining activity during the mid-1950s. Surveyed with aerial photography and planetable techniques, the map reveals a terrain defined by mineral extraction, most notably at the Red Raven Mine. Scattered throughout the foothills are numerous Shafts, Prospects, and a Tunnel, indicating a period of intense exploratory interest in this portion of San Bernardino County. Drainage across the arid flats is funneled through the expansive Fremont Wash, which cuts a broad path northeastward across the desert floor.

Human infrastructure is sparse and functional, centered around the north-south transit provided by Helendale Road and a network of unimproved routes like the Jeep Trail. Large-scale topographic shifts are marked by a series of bench marks, including BM 2850 and BM 2764, while utilitarian features like Water Tanks provide evidence of the vital resources needed for both mining and desert travel during this era.