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1954 Map of Death Valley

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Death Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Badwater Basin -282 Lowest Elevation in the United States anchors this detailed study of the High Desert during a period of significant military and industrial presence. The landscape is defined by its extremes, from the salt flats of Owens Valley to the heights of Cerro Gordo Peak. Mining activity remains a visible part of the economy, evidenced by the Cerro Gordo Mine, Burgess Mine, and Darwin Mine.

The infrastructure of the mid-20th century is clearly mapped, including the Tidewater & Tonopah RR and the Old RR Grade. Large tracts of land are dedicated to federal interests, such as the Nellis Air Force Range and the Naval Weapons Center, contrasting with the early preservation efforts within the Death Valley National Monument. Notable settlements like the ghost town of Rhyolite and the active hub of Death Valley Junction provide critical reference points for genealogists and regional historians.