1993 Map of Owlshead Mountains

About this map

Death Valley National Monument dominates this landscape, showing a complex network of mining sites and desert hydrology at the close of the twentieth century. The map traces the industrial history of the region through numerous gold and silver operations, from the Queen of Sheba Mine in the north to the Black Magic Mine in the south. The transition from active settlements to historical markers is evident at Ashford Mill (Ruins) and the Confidence Mill (Site). Water sources dictate the geography of the basin, with the Amargosa River cutting through the Beys Hills toward the Silurian Lake bed. Large swaths of territory are cordoned off for government use, including the Fort Irwin Military Reservation and the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, illustrating the region's mid-century shift toward military utility.