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1951 Map of Mt. Tom

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Mt. Tom
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

Mining operations for critical minerals dominate the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada on this mid-century survey. The landscape is defined by the extraction of tungsten and vanadium, with clusters of claims like the Tungstar Mine, Tungsten Blue Mine, and Jackrabbit Mine concentrated in the Tungsten Hills and near Pine Creek. Small settlements and supporting infrastructure are visible at Rovana and Paradise Camp, providing housing for those working at major sites like the Pine Creek Mine and Vanadium Mine.

High-altitude alpine terrain marks the western portion of the sheet, where the Wheeler Crest and peaks like Mt Tom and Mt Humphreys tower over dozens of glacial lakes, including Rock Creek Lake and Honeymoon Lake. Historical artifacts such as Petroglyphs near the Owens River and the Round Valley School show the intersection of ancient history and the then-current 1950s ranching and industrial economy.