1950 Map of New York Butte

About this map

Inyo Mountains topography dominates this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by high-altitude mining and the industrial infrastructure of the Owens Valley. The map documents a complex network of resource extraction, from the Bonham Talc Mines and Keynot Mine to the quarries near Dolomite. A notable logistical feat is visible in the long Tramway (Abandoned) stretching from the heights near Cerro Gordo Pk down toward the Pacific Southern rail line. Along the western edge, the shoreline of Owens Lake meets the small settlements of Swansea and Alico, while the interior remains sparsely populated, punctuated only by isolated locations like Beveridge and various springs such as Daisy Spring. The presence of the Estelle Tunnel and Bighorn Mine further underscores the era's focus on subterranean mineral wealth.