1961 Map of Topopah Spring SW

About this map

Yucca Mountain dominates the western landscape of this mid-century survey, a period when this high-desert terrain was utilized for military and scientific research. The map illustrates a pivotal era in the region's geography, showing the intersection of the Nellis Air Force Range and the Nevada Test Site. These restricted zones signify a transition in land use from open territory to specialized government facilities during the Cold War. In the eastern portion of the sheet, Jackass Flats provides a contrast to the high ridges, marked by a sparse network of jeep trails and survey markers. The drainage of Fortymile Wash snakes through the canyon, anchored by Well J-12, highlighting the critical and limited presence of water resources in this arid environment. Strategic triangulation stations like Vabm Mile 4951 and Vabm Alice 4047 offer precise elevations across the basin and range topography.