1952 Map of Cactus Spring

About this map

The Cactus Range dominates this mid-century landscape in Nye County, revealing a region defined by its isolation and specialized land use. Photographed and field-checked in 1952, the map shows the transition of this arid basin into the Nellis Air Force Range, where numerous Target labels appear across the flats. Despite the military presence, the map preserves the remnants of an earlier prospecting era, most notably the Gold Crater (Site) and several scattered Mining Areas. Essential water sources like Cactus Spring and Desert Well appear as critical landmarks in a desert terrain marked by features such as Stonewall Mtn and the Dacite Hills. The geography is further punctuated by geological curiosities like Civet Cat Cave and the Sleeping Column Canyon, which provide a detailed record of the natural character of this remote Nevada corner.