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1988 Map of Cactus Flat

Name: 1988 Topographic Map of Cactus Flat
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

The Nellis Air Force Range dominates this late-twentieth-century landscape, a restricted military expanse that preserved vast tracts of the Nevada desert from modern development. Within this high-desert environment, the map documents the remnant footprints of early mining activities and scattered settlements like Silverbow, Jamestown, and Mellan. These locations, along with named mining sites such as Golden Arrow and Gold Crater, reflect the region's historical reliance on mineral extraction across the Cactus Range and Kawich Range.

Ephemeral water sources and man-made improvements are critical landmarks in this arid terrain, notably Antelope Lake, Cottonwood Spring, and several named wells like Willow Witch Well and Pyramid Well. The topography is defined by dramatic depressions and ridges, including the Kawich Depression and Cathedral Ridge. The presence of multiple landing strips highlights the area's specialized use for military aviation during the Cold War era.