1943 Map of Saltdale

About this map

The El Paso Mountains and Rand Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape, framing the expansive Koehn Dry Lake in the southern basin. During the mid-1940s, this region was a hub of extraction and military utility, evidenced by the numerous mining operations such as the Holly Mine, Smith Mine, and Copper Basin Mine scattered through the canyons. The presence of the Arty Ground Observation Sta near the Petrified Forest highlights the area's strategic wartime role. Transportation was anchored by the Southern Pacific railroad, which served remote stops like Saltdale and Garlock Sta. Local life centered around small desert outposts and the Redrock Sch, while natural landmarks like Redrock Canyon and Last Chance Canyon provided distinctive geological orientation for travelers on the Neuralia Road.