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1952 Map of Specter Range

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Specter Range
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

Nevada Proving Grounds and the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range dominate the northern landscape of this 1952 topographic survey. This era marks a significant period of military activity in the region, evidenced by the presence of Camp Desert Rock and the settlement of Mercury. The map details the logistical infrastructure required for these operations, including a dedicated Airstrip and a network of unimproved roads crossing Mercury Valley.

South of the military boundaries, the terrain transitions into the steep ridges of the Specter Range and the northern reaches of the Spring Mountains. Geologists and historians can trace the Old Railroad Grade as it skirts the edge of the Amargosa Desert, providing a look at the earlier transportation corridors that preceded the atomic era's development. Landmarks like Skull Mountain and Point of Rocks serve as clear navigational markers within this arid environment.