1952 Map of Stovepipe Wells

About this map

Death Valley dominates this 1952 topographic study, where the extreme topography of Tucki Mountain and the Grapevine Mountains frames the low-lying Mesquite Flat. At the center of this desert basin, Stovepipe Wells and the Stovepipe Wells Hotel serve as primary hubs for the Death Valley National Monument, supported by a landing strip and a network of unimproved desert roads. The map documents vital water sources in an arid landscape, including Triangle Spring, Midway Well, and the mineral-heavy waters of Salt Creek. A notable cultural feature is the Devils Cornfield, a distinctive area of arrowweed clumps, and the Old Toll Road which traces a path across the alluvial fans. This survey captures the mid-century infrastructure of the park before extensive modern paving, showing the original relationship between these desert outposts and the surrounding Sand Dunes.