1952 Map of Blue Diamond

About this map

Spring Mountains and the arid expanse west of Las Vegas dominate this 1950s survey, capturing the region's early mining and ranching identity. The settlement of Blue Diamond sits at the heart of the landscape, defined by its namesake Blue Diamond Mine and a network of water sources essential for desert survival, including Wheeler Camp Spring and Cottonwood Spring. The map documents a period of transition, where working landscapes like the Sandstone Quarry and Bar Nothing Ranch coexist with the designated natural space of Red Rock Canyon State Park. Significant industrial infrastructure is recorded by the Union Pacific Railroad (Abandoned) and the Blue Diamond Road, tracing the movement of minerals through the Cottonwood Valley. From the heights of La Madre Mountain to the depths of Red Rock Wash, the map provides a precise record of the springs and ranches, such as the Oliver Ranch, that once sustained this Mojave Desert outpost.