1956 Map of Wild Horse

About this map

McAfee Peak and the high ridges of the Independence Mountains dominate this mid-century survey of northeastern Nevada. The landscape is defined by the headwaters of the Owyhee River and the Humboldt River, which feed the prominent Wild Horse Reservoir. While the Humboldt National Forest covers much of the high ground, the valley floors are dotted with remote outposts of ranching life, such as Vega Ranch, Doheny Ranch, and Spring Creek Ranch. These private holdings, along with the Harrison School, suggest a self-sufficient community structured around high-desert livestock and water management. Transportation is limited to a network of primitive routes, including several labeled Jeep Trails, a Landing Strip, and the historic Wild Horse Crossing. Resource management is evident through features like the North Fork Guard Sta and the Spillway 6189 at the reservoir, reflecting the federal and state efforts to manage this arid terrain for both forest preservation and agricultural use.