1985 Map of Mesquite Lake

About this map

Mining operations and dry lake beds define this arid borderland between California and Nevada. In the mid-1980s, the landscape was a complex grid of mineral extraction and transit, with the Union Pacific railroad and major highways cutting through the Ivanpah Valley. Notable historical markers such as the Von Schmidt Boundary trace the political divisions of the desert, while the East Mojave National Scenic Area indicates the transition toward large-scale land preservation. The region's industrial past is visible through a high concentration of silver, lead, and copper claims, including the Silver Rule Mine, Copper World Mine, and Hoosier Mine tucked into the mountain ranges. Small settlements like Sandy, Jean, and Borax serve as isolated outposts amidst the vast expanses of the Spring Mountains and the McCullough Range, where water sources like Stump Spring and Ninety-nine Spring provided essential lifelines for early travelers and prospectors.