1955 Map of Roach Lake

About this map

Mining operations and desert transportation networks dominate this 1950s survey of the Nevada and California borderlands. The landscape is defined by the dry beds of Roach Lake and Ivanpah Lake, providing flat expanses across which the Union Pacific railroad and the Old Traction Road navigate the high desert. To the west, the Devil Peak Mountains and the Clark Mountain Range harbor numerous mineral prospects, including the Christmas Mine, New Year Mine, and Addison Mine. Small rail-dependent settlements such as Borax, Roach, and Calada dot the corridor, serving as vital outposts in a region where water is scarce, as indicated by the infrequent presence of a Well. This era shows the region just before modern interstate development, highlighting the historic Von Schmidt Line as a critical boundary for early surveyors and miners.