1955 Map of Kelso

About this map

Kelso and the Union railroad corridor anchor this high-desert landscape in the mid-1950s, serving as a vital nexus for transportation and resource extraction. The map reveals a network of industrial sites, including numerous unnamed Shafts and Prospects scattered near the Providence MTS and Kelso Peak. Historical movement through the region is evidenced by the Old Government Road, which cuts across the terrain past Marl Spring, a critical water source in an arid environment otherwise defined by ephemeral drainage like Willow Wash. Along the rail line, small settlements such as Cima, Elora, and Dawes mark the progress of the steam and diesel era. High elevations are punctuated by volcanic features like Lava beds and Wildcat Butte, contrasting with the lower basins where Rainbow Wells and Eightmile Tank provided the essential water infrastructure required for both mining operations and steam locomotives.