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1952 Map of Ash Meadows

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Ash Meadows
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Ash Meadows and the surrounding Amargosa Desert define this arid landscape along the Nevada and California border during the early 1950s. The region is characterized by an extensive network of springs and pools, including Fairbanks Spr, Crystal Pool, and Point of Rocks Springs, which sustained local ranching and early industrial efforts. The Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad appears here as a dismantled line, tracing a path south toward Death Valley Junction, which served as a vital regional post office and hub near the Death Valley Nat Monument boundary.

Industrial activity is evident through numerous Clay Pits and the presence of Clay Camp, highlighting the importance of mineral extraction in this remote corner of Nye and Inyo Counties. The historical Von Schmidt Line cuts diagonally across the quadrangle, marking an earlier attempt to survey the state boundary. Local landmarks like Kelleys Well, Hog Ranch, and Shadow Mtn provide essential reference points for researchers tracing the mid-century settlement and transportation patterns of the Mojave Desert.