1956 Map of Wild Horse

About this map

The Wild Horse Reservoir dominates this high-desert basin in the 1950s, collecting the waters of the Owyhee River and its many tributaries. This landscape is defined by the high elevations of the Independence Mountains to the west, where McAfee Peak stands as a prominent landmark. The area's ranching heritage is evident in the cluster of family operations such as Doheny Ranch, Stevens Ranch, and Vega Ranch, which are situated along the perennial watercourses like Jacks Creek and Delaware Creek. These homesteads represent the sparse but critical settlement pattern of northern Elko County during this era.