1958 Map of Waucoba Spring

About this map

Inyo National Forest dominates the western edge of this 1958 topographic survey, where high-altitude desert plateaus like Joshua Flats and Whippoorwill Flat transition into deep geological basins. The map reveals an active mining landscape during the late 1950s, with operations such as the Nikolaus Eureka Mine, Loretta Mine, and Opal Mine scattered across the high ridges. In the east, the vast expanse of the Eureka Valley features a massive field of Sand Dunes, illustrating the dramatic topographical shifts characteristic of this part of Inyo County. A network of primitive transit, including a designated Jeep Trail through Jackass Flats, connects these remote industrial sites to water sources like Waucoba Spring. The inclusion of survey markers such as VABM 6789 Zinc and VABM 8367 Brass highlights the precision of mid-century desert mapping.