1951 Map of Soda Lake

About this map

Ragtown (Site) marks a pivotal historical location along the Carson River where travelers on the Old California Trail once halted after the arduous crossing of the Forty Mile Desert. This 1951 survey documents the transition of this arid landscape into a managed water system, featuring a complex network of irrigation works including the U Canal, Wade Drain, and Lower Soda Lake Drain. The twin craters of Soda Lake and Little Soda Lake dominate the southern valley floor, while the Southern Pacific railroad cuts across the Alkali Flat, punctuated by remote stations like Upsal Siding and Falais Siding. To the east, the boundary of the Stillwater Wildlife Management Area borders the edge of the Carson Sink, illustrating the intersection of early pioneer routes and modern federal land management.