1900 Map of Silver Peak

About this map

Silver Peak Range dominates this landscape, rising between the expansive Fish Lake Valley to the west and Clayton Valley to the east. At the turn of the century, the region was defined by its mineral wealth and the infrastructure required to extract it. The settlement of Silver Peak serves as a central hub, situated near the shores of a large seasonal lake containing Goat Island and Alcatraz Island. The industrial footprint of the era is evident in the presence of the Drinkwater Mine and the Pacific Borax Co. Mill, the latter located at The Crossing. The Silver Peak R.R. provides a critical transportation link through the desert, connecting the mining operations and the town of Blair to the broader valley. Numerous water sources, such as Valcalda Spring and Coyote Hole, were vital lifelines for the scattered mining camps and travelers navigating the high desert passes like Emigrant Pass.