1964 Map of Gerlach

About this map

Gerlach sits at the convergence of the Smoke Creek Desert and the Black Rock Desert, serving as a critical rail station along the Western Pacific Railroad. This mid-1960s landscape is defined by the stark transition from flat alkali basins to the towering Granite Range and Selenite Range. To the south, the industrial settlement of Empire is clearly mapped with its radio tower, sewage disposal, and water tanks, contrasting with the more dispersed rural landmarks like Deephole Ranch and the rail siding at Phil. Local geothermal and geological features are prominent, including Great Boiling Spring Park and various prospects and quarries. For those tracing the geography of the Great Basin, the map details numerous vital water sources such as Cottonwood Creek, Texas Basin Spring, and Double Speed Spring, which were essential for ranching and transit in this arid environment.