1962 Map of Silent Butte

About this map

Nellis Air Force Range and the northern reaches of the Nevada Test Site dominate this mid-century topographic survey, produced in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission. The landscape is defined by stark volcanic and erosional forms, most notably the prominent Basalt Ridge which runs north toward Silent Butte. The drainage patterns here are complex, featuring the deeply incised Silent Canyon and its tributary, South Silent Canyon, alongside the headwaters of East Thirsty Canyon. This area represents a restricted military and scientific corridor during the height of the Cold War, where travel was limited to primitive Jeep Trails and survey markers like Vabm Silent. The absence of civilian settlements reflects the region's specialized use for defense and nuclear research during the early 1960s.