1910 Map of Furnace Creek

About this map

Rhyolite and Bullfrog stand as primary hubs in this desert landscape during a period of intense mineral exploration along the Nevada-California border. This survey, conducted just after the peak of the local mining boom, reveals the industrial footprint of the Keane Wonder Mine and the Lila C Mine amidst the striking topography of the Funeral Mountains. The transportation network is dominated by the Las Vegas and Tonopah RR and the Tonopah and Tidewater RR, which served the region's scattered settlements like Greenwater and Beatty. Water sources were critical for survival and industry, as seen in the sparse distribution of sites like Texas Spr, Hicks Hot Springs, and the Eagle Borax Works located near the basin floor. The map captures the era's reliance on isolated outposts such as Fairbanks Ranch and Davis Ranch to bridge the distances between major mining districts.