Loading map...

1954 Map of Caliente

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Caliente
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Pioche and the surrounding high-desert landscape of Lincoln County define this mid-century survey, which reveals a complex network of mining operations and remote settlements. The rugged Basin and Range province is articulated through features like the Groom Range and the Delamar Mountains, while the Union Pacific railroad corridor provides a vital lifeline through stations such as Caliente, Etna, and Elgin. This era represents a period of significant military expansion in the Great Basin, clearly delineated by the presence of the Nellis Air Force Range and the Nevada Test Site in the west.

Water remains the primary driver of habitation, evidenced by the cluster of communities along the Pahranagat Valley and the fertile springs at Hiko, Crystal Springs, and Ash Springs. For genealogists and local historians, the map serves as a record of established infrastructure including the Lincoln County Memorial Hospital and conservation landmarks like Cathedral Gorge State Park. The transition from mining hubs to managed wilderness is captured here, showing the proximity of industrial sites like the Lincoln Mine to the protected Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.