1957 Map of Two Tips

About this map

The Fernley State Wildlife Management Area occupies a central role in this high-desert landscape, where irrigation engineering and rail infrastructure meet the alkaline sinks of the Great Basin. The Truckee Canal and the Fernley Drain illustrate the intensive mid-century efforts to manage water for agriculture and conservation across the Alkali Flat. To the south, the Southern Pacific railroad corridor serves as the primary artery for local life, anchoring the junction at Hazen and smaller stops like Argo and Darwin. The topography is dominated by the Truckee Range and Virginia Range, providing a stark backdrop to the industrial operations at the Salt Evaporators and several prospects scattered near the peaks. This survey offers a clear look at how the region's transport and water networks were integrated into the natural desert terrain during the late 1950s.