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1952 Map of Specter Range

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Specter Range
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Nevada Proving Grounds and the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range dominate this Cold War-era landscape, reflecting the region's mid-century military transformation. At the heart of the activity is Camp Desert Rock, complete with an Airstrip and Water Tank, serving as a primary staging area for nuclear testing personnel. The map provides a detailed view of the infrastructure supporting these operations, including the Mercury Highway and a prominent Telephone Line cutting through the desert floor.

Contrasting this modern military footprint is the natural rise of the Specter Range and Spring Mountains, which tower over the Amargosa Desert. An Old Railroad Grade winds through the southwestern section, a relic of earlier transportation networks. Notable geological landmarks like Skull Mountain and Point of Rocks define the horizon, while an Aqueduct highlights the critical role of water management in this arid environment.