1961 Map of The Cedars

About this map

Reese River flows through the central basin of this Great Basin landscape, flanked by the dramatic elevations of the Fish Creek Mountains to the west and the Shoshone Range to the east. At the start of the 1960s, this area of Lander County remained a territory of sparse ranching and significant topographical landmarks, such as the evocative Valley of the Moon and the high summit of Elephant Head. Human presence is marked by isolated outposts like Fish Creek Ranch and Smith Flat, while the legacy of earlier transportation is visible in the Old Railroad Grade cutting across the valley floor. Geothermal activity is indicated by Hot Springs near the river, and the terrain is dotted with evidence of exploration including a Mine and various Prospect locations, reflecting the region's long-standing connection to mineral interests and high-desert pastoralism.