1936 Map of Mountain City

About this map

Mountain City and the neighboring settlement of Patsville serve as the primary hubs in this high-altitude ranching and mining district during the mid-1930s. The landscape is defined by its extractive economy, highlighted by the Rio Tinto Mine and Golden Ensign Mine, which supported the local population alongside a network of family-run operations like the McKenzie Ranch, Rizzi Ranch, and Nelson Ranch. The presence of the Mountain City Landing Field and the Mountain City Ranger Sta indicates the town's role as an administrative and logistical center for the surrounding Humboldt National Forest. Straddling the state line between Idaho and Nevada, the area features a complex geography of high peaks like Merritt Mtn and Haystack Mtn, with the Salmon River and numerous springs providing water to the secluded basins and flats. This survey documents the transition of the region from a remote mining frontier into a more structured district of coordinated resource management and established ranching claims.