1970 Map of Alkali

About this map

Alkali Hot Spring and the small settlement of Alkali serve as central landmarks in this high-desert landscape of Esmeralda County during the late 1960s. The map illustrates a region defined by its geological extremes, from the low-lying Alkali Lake Alkali Flat (Depression) in the northwest to the elevated heights of the Montezuma Range and Flattop Mtn in the south. A legacy of earlier industrial activity is visible through the Old Railroad Grade running along the eastern edge and various Prospect sites located near Silver Peak Ridge. The transportation network is sparse, consisting largely of the Silver Peak Road and several Jeep Tr paths, suggesting a territory primarily used for mining exploration and ranching, evidenced by a solitary Corral. Natural drainage patterns like Big Wash and Indian Springs Canyon emphasize the arid environment's dependence on seasonal water flow.