1968 Map of Melandco

About this map

The Union Pacific line cuts through this high desert corridor, providing a vital transportation link past the settlement of Melandco. In this arid landscape, water management and topographic obstacles dictate the pattern of human activity. The western edge of the Windermere Hills meets the high flats where the Bishop Creek Reservoir sits, contained by the Berren Dam. This reservoir serves as a critical hydrological node for the surrounding rangeland, capturing flow from Willow Creek and Bishop Creek. Navigating the terrain relies on established routes like the Bishop Trail and various Jeep Trails that traverse the gaps between Summer Camp Ridge and the prominent HD Summit. The map captures a moment in the late 1960s when the cattle-ranching infrastructure of Thousand Springs Valley remained centered on these reliable water sources and the steady rhythm of the railroad.