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1955 Map of Mescal Range

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Mescal Range
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Mountain Pass serves as a focal point for mining activity in the northeastern corner of the Mojave Desert during the mid-1950s. The landscape is defined by extensive mineral extraction, evidenced by the Sulphide Queen Mine, Mohawk Mine, and the Birthday Mine clustered near the Mohawk Hill and Clark Mtn Range. These workings highlight the region's industrial importance, while the isolated Cemetery near Valley Wells points to the human toll and longevity of these remote desert communities.

Southward, the terrain rises into the Mescal Range and the Ivanpah Mountains, where smaller operations like the Standard Mine No 1 and Teutonia Mine are scattered across the high desert. Essential water sources, such as China Spring and Kessler Spring, dictate the placement of early settlements and travel routes through the Piute Valley, providing a detailed look at the infrastructure required to sustain life and industry in this arid environment.