1961 Map of Camp Desert Rock

About this map

The Nevada Test Site dominates this 1961 landscape, specifically within the Area 5 sector near the southern boundary of the Military Reservation. This survey represents a critical moment in Cold War history, detailing the infrastructure supporting the Atomic Energy Commission's operations. Camp Desert Rock is situated at the southern edge of the quadrangle, connected to the broader site via Desert Rock Drive and the Mercury Highway. The map illustrates the functional layout of the facility, including an Airstrip, Heliport, and a Radio Tower, which contrast with the surrounding desert terrain features like Jackass Flats and Red Mountain. A Mercury Underground Telephone Line traces along the highway, while natural features like Tupapa Seep Spring provide a stark counterpoint to the industrial Sewage Disposal and Pumping Plant facilities required for the base's operations.