1968 Map of Independence Valley SW

About this map

Independence Valley (Depression) dominates this corner of Elko County, Nevada, as it appeared in the late 1960s. The landscape is characterized by its expansive Alkali Flat and a network of Jeep Trails that traverse the arid basin. Settlement is sparse, anchored by the railway stop at Rockland and the nearby station at Spruce, both situated along the Western Pacific railroad line which cuts diagonally across the valley floor. The placement of a Gravel Pit and a Corral near the railroad reflects the practical land use of the era, focusing on transport and livestock management in this high-desert environment. Aerial photographs from 1967 and field checks in 1968 by the Geological Survey document the precise contours and drainage patterns of this Great Basin depression.