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1959 Map of Ely

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Ely
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

The high desert landscape of eastern Nevada and western Utah is defined by the distinct north-south orientation of its mountain ranges and valleys. The Egan Range, Schell Creek Range, and Snake Range create formidable barriers between the expansive Steptoe Valley and Spring Valley. Mining and ranching form the backbone of the local economy during the late 1950s, centered around the hubs of Ely and McGill. The Nevada Northern RR provides a critical industrial link through the Steptoe Valley, connecting the copper-rich districts of Ruth and Kimberly to the smelters.

Family legacies are preserved through numerous named ranch sites like Thompson Ranch and Goicoechea Ranch. To the east, the Goshute Indian Reservation sits near the state line, while resource management is visible at the Berry Creek Ranger Station and the Spring Valley Ranger Station (abandoned). This survey captures the region just as the postwar era solidified these remote outposts and transportation corridors.