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1952 Map of Dry Lake

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Dry Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Dry Lake (Depression) defines this high-desert basin, where the industrial and military infrastructure of the early Cold War era is etched into the landscape. This 1952 survey highlights the critical transportation corridor formed by the Union Pacific railroad and the Arrowhead Trail, which serve a string of utility and industrial outposts like Arrolime, Garnet, and Apex. At Apex, the presence of an Apex Underpass and an Airway Beacon underscores the importance of this pass for both rail and air navigation.

Bound by the Arrow Canyon Range and the Muddy Mountains, the area shows clear evidence of mineral extraction with a Prospect and Quarry located near the basin floor. The western portion of the map is dominated by the Nellis Air Force Base (Gunnery Range), illustrating the vast territorial requirements for mid-century military training in the Nevada desert. Traditional routes like the Gypsum Trail and drainage features such as California Wash contrast with the modern engineering of the day.