1952 Map of Ely

About this map

The copper-rich landscape of White Pine County comes alive in this 1950s survey, dominated by the massive industrial operations at Ruth and the Copper Smelter at McGill. This era represents a peak for the Nevada Northern RR, which snakes through the Steptoe valley connecting the mines to the smelter and the hub of Ely. Beyond the industrial activity, the map reveals deep-rooted mining history through features like the Ely-Centennial Tunnel and various shafts like the Columbia and Chairman Shaft. The rugged geography of the Shell Creek Range and Egan Range is punctuated by cultural sites like the Charcoal Ovens and the Berry Creek Ranger Sta, while smaller settlements such as Adverse, Glenn, and Taylor provide a window into the remote habitation patterns of mid-century Nevada.