1957 Map of Dogskin Mountain

About this map

Arid basin and range topography dominates this mid-century landscape along the California Nevada border, defined by the towering Dogskin Mountains and Petersen Mountain. The distribution of water sources is the primary indicator of human activity and livestock management during this era, evidenced by numerous named watering points such as Settlemeyer Spring, McKissick Spring, and Boatlegger Spring. The presence of the Renner Well (Artesian) in the heart of Red Rock Valley and the Pasture Well to the south suggests a reliance on groundwater for ranching operations in these high-desert valleys. Scattered prospects throughout the Virginia Mountains and near Hungry Mountain point to a history of mineral exploration in the remote canyons. This survey documents the area's transition between the fertile Winnemucca Valley and the stark, expansive Bedell Flat.