1952 Map of Timber Mountain

About this map

Nellis Air Force Base dominates this mid-century landscape in the high desert of Nye County, where military operations and geological surveying intersected in the early Cold War era. The terrain is defined by the massive volcanic structure of Timber Mountain and the expansive heights of Pahute Mesa, reflecting a wilderness area increasingly designated for restricted use. Mapping was conducted by the Army Map Service using 1952 aerial photography, capturing the raw geography of the Basin and Range province. Sparse landmarks like the designated Target near Fortymile Canyon hint at the area's transition into a testing range. The intricate contour lines trace a complex system of drainages, including Stockade Wash and Cat Canyon, illustrating the erosional patterns of a landscape that remains largely untouched by civilian settlement or commercial infrastructure.