1912 Map of Randsburg

About this map

Mining and desert transportation define this high-desert region during a period of intense mineral extraction. At the heart of the district lies Randsburg, a hub of activity anchored by the massive Yellow Aster Mine on the slopes above the town. The neighboring settlement of Johannesburg serves as the terminus for the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (Randsburg Branch), which winds south past Atolia and St Elmo. The landscape is characterized by a series of rugged uplands including the Rand Mountains, Summit Range, and the Lava Mountains. To the north, the Southern Pacific tracks cross the valley near Searles, while the southern reaches of the map dissolve into the open Mojave Desert. This survey captures the critical water infrastructure necessary for desert survival, from Willow Spring to the mineral-heavy Blackhawk Well.