1952 Map of Stovepipe Wells

About this map

Stovepipe Wells Hotel and its adjacent landing strip serve as the primary human foothold in this 1952 topographic study of central Death Valley. The landscape is defined by the stark transition from the towering Tucki Mountain and Grapevine Mountains to the low-lying Death Valley (Depression). Notable features include the shifting Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the curiously named Devils Cornfield, alongside vital but sparse water sources like Midway Well and the non-potable McLean Spring. Historical transit corridors are clearly marked, including the Old Emigrant Route, a Toll Road, and a network of jeep trails that navigate through narrow passages such as Grotto Canyon and Mosaic Canyon. This survey captures the region during a period of increasing accessibility within the Death Valley National Monument while the area still retained its primitive, unpaved character.