1951 Map of New York Butte

About this map

Inyo Mountains define this mid-century landscape, separating the deep Saline Valley from the floor of Owens Valley. The map captures a high-altitude mining economy in transition, where numerous remote operations like the Cerro Gordo Mine and Keynot Mine are accessed by steep, winding canyons. In the south, the industrial infrastructure of the Estelle Tunnel Tramway and other tramways suggests the logistical challenges of moving ore from peaks exceeding 9,000 feet down to the valley floor. Along the western edge, the Southern Pacific railroad line skirts the edge of Owens Lake, connecting the small settlements of Swansea, Dolomite, and Mock. This survey provides a precise look at specialized mineral extraction during the 1950s, including talc mining at the Snow Flake Talc Mine and silver production, set against a backdrop of springs and desert washes.