1981 Map of Cholona

About this map

Western Pacific rail lines slice diagonally through the arid landscape of northern Nevada, connecting the remote siding of Cholona to the broader regional transport network. This 1981 survey reveals a stark basin-and-range geography where the vast Black Rock Desert meets the rising elevations of Pahsupp Mtn. Drainage patterns in this high-desert environment are defined by intermittent flows such as Lava Beds Creek, which winds through the southern portion of the quadrangle. The map captures a moment in the early 1980s when the region remained largely defined by its industrial rail infrastructure and primitive 4wd tracks, providing a clear record of the area's geological features and sparse human imprint.