1952 Map of Bennetts Well

About this map

The extreme verticality of Death Valley is on full display here, where the land drops below sea level between the Panamint Range and the Black Mountains. Life in this arid basin during the mid-century was defined by isolated water sources such as Bennetts Well, Shortys Well, and Eagle Borax Spring, which served as vital landmarks for travel across the valley floor. The map documents the intricate drainage systems carved into the mountains, including Hanaupah Canyon and Johnson Canyon, which terminate in the basin of the Amargosa River. Industrial activity is noted in the southern reaches at the Talc Mines near Gold Hill, illustrating the remote extractive operations of the era. From the low point at Badwater to the high ridges of the western range, the sheet provides a meticulous record of the specialized infrastructure, like the Gravity Station and Salt Well Tanks, required to navigate and survey this unforgiving landscape.