1966 Map of Springdale

About this map

Sarcobatus Flat dominates this mid-1960s survey of the Nevada desert, where the vast alkali plains meet the volcanic rises of the Bullfrog Hills and Oasis Mtn. The settlement of Springdale and the site of Ancram mark the edge of the Oasis Valley, while an Old Railroad Grade traces a line through the arid landscape toward the Pioneer site. This specific survey was conducted in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission, reflecting the era's focus on the surrounding high-security lands of the Nellis Air Force Range. Infrastructure of the Space Age is also evident at the NASA Tracking Sta located south of Ancram. The map further documents the northern fringes of Death Valley National Monument, capturing a period when industrial activity and government research intersected in this remote corner of Nye County.