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1952 Map of Topopah Spring

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Topopah Spring
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

The Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range dominates the interior of this 1952 topographic study, reflecting the intense military and scientific utility of the Nye County desert during the early Cold War. This landscape of high desert basins and volcanic ridges is anchored by Yucca Mountain to the west and the heights of Shoshone Mountain to the east. Between these ranges lie the broad drainage of Fortymile Canyon and the expansive Jackass Flats.

Detailed benchmark elevations, such as BM 3971, provide a precise record of the terrain before the onset of more intensive site developments in the region. The map captures isolated water sources like the namesake Topopah Spring and the drainage of Beatty Wash, which were critical navigation points in this arid environment. The inclusion of the Calico Hills further illustrates the complex geological character of this high-altitude desert territory.