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1979 Map of Pahute Mesa

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Pahute Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Nellis Air Force Range and the Nevada Test Site dominate this 1970s landscape, illustrating the heavy footprint of the Cold War and atomic research in the Nevada desert. The map reveals the intricate network of the Pahute Mesa and Timber Mountain regions, where the land was repurposed for military and scientific use. Along with tactical infrastructure like a tracking station and various landing strips, the map documents early industrial remnants such as the Clarkdale Mine and Yellow Gold Mine near the Tolicha Peak.

The presence of a Radioactive Waste Dump and specialized sites like Silent Canyon contrast with the Nevada Wild Horse Management Area and the eastern edge of Death Valley National Monument. While settlements are sparse, small hubs like Springdale and Oasis appear along the southwestern corridor, providing a glimpse into the limited civilian presence on the fringe of vast, restricted government territories.