1956 Map of Ely

About this map

Ely and its neighboring rail hub East Ely serve as the central focus of this eastern Nevada basin and range landscape. The regional economy of the mid-twentieth century is clearly etched into the terrain, from the industrial activity at Ruth and the Pancake Coal Mine to the smelting and ranching interests near McGill. Transport corridors are vital here, with the Nevada Northern and Southern Pacific railroads threading through the high-desert valleys. The map illustrates a complex network of north-south mountain ranges, including the Cherry Creek Range and the Snake Range, which isolate expansive flats like Steptoe Valley and Spring Valley. This 1971 revision documents a transition era where traditional mining and ranching at places like Moorman Ranch persisted alongside federal land management in the Humboldt National Forest.