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1972 Map of Islen

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Islen
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

Islen sits at the junction of rugged canyon drainage and the heavy iron of the Union Pacific railroad in this Lincoln County corridor. The landscape is defined by the winding course of Clover Creek as it carves through deep limestone walls, passing a notable Cave and several critical desert water sources like Big Spring and Little Springs. To the east, the settlement of Barclay marks a quieter stop along the rail line near the mouth of Islen Canyon.

Mineral exploration is evidenced by a Prospect in the northern heights near Empty Wash, while the surrounding terrain is a complex network of dry channels including Chokecherry Canyon and Minto Canyon. This survey captures the essential infrastructure of the high desert in the early 1970s, where movement was dictated by the narrow valley floors and the availability of water at landmarks like Horse Spring and Chokecherry Spring.