1973 Map of Silsbee

About this map

The Bonneville Salt Flats dominate this high-desert landscape in Tooele County, illustrating the scale of industrial mineral extraction in the early 1970s. Massive Evaporator Ponds and a network of infrastructure including a Pumping Station, Siphon, and several Brine Wells demonstrate how the brine was managed for salt production. Parallel to the Western Pacific railroad and Interstate 80, the small settlements of Silsbee and Blair sit near the rail line, while the Bonneville Racetrack marks the northern extent of the flats. The terrain is characterized by stretches of Alkali or Mud and shifting Sand Dunes, with human activity represented by the Wendover Air Force Range to the south and Danger Cave State Park on the western edge. This orthophotomap combines traditional topography with aerial photography to show the precise geometric patterns of the salt works against the natural desert floor.