1951 Map of Blanco Mountain

About this map

White Mountains high-country topography and the industrial scars of early 20th-century prospecting define this 1951 survey. The landscape is dominated by steep drainages like Mill Canyon and Payson Canyon, where local extraction efforts are evidenced by the Mollie Gibson Mines, Grandview Mine, and Gray Eagle Mine. Isolated outposts of human activity appear in the form of the Naval Research Station and a Radio Relay Sta atop the ridges, while the Roberts Ranch represents a rare domestic anchor in the high altitude. To the southeast, the floor of Deep Springs Valley reveals the stark contrast of Deep Spring Lake and several artesian wells. This document captures the transition of the region from a purely mining-focused frontier to an area of scientific and communications infrastructure, all while maintaining its character as part of the Inyo National Forest.