A General Site of Ridgecrest and Adjacent Communities in Indian Wells Valley California

“California’s ‘Land of Oz’, potentially rich in agriculture, mining, and out of doors living.”

This rare and ephemeral map of Indian Wells Valley, California was drawn in 1951 by K.G. Connable and likely published by a local Chamber of Commerce. A simple street map of the small desert community highlights residential areas and subdivisions (several of which are named), including newly reclassified public lands made available for sale. The mountainous area surrounding the valley is depicted pictorially, though the huge open space dedicated to ‘Rocket Testing’ may give some potential buyers pause!

This is related to the nearby Naval Ordnance Test Station in China Lake, the U.S. Navy’s largest single landholding that comprises over 1 million acres. It began use as rocket testing grounds during World War II, when it was rapidly expanded to accommodate several runways long enough for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Descriptive text on the verso discusses in detail the climate, history, and economic opportunity, but fails to mention the unending flyovers and loud explosions. A grainy black and white photograph accurately depicts the harsh desert landscape, despite assurances that ‘water is plentiful.’

Source: U.S. Navy China Lake History;