Atlas to Accompany the Monograph on the Geology of the Comstock Lode and the Washoe District

Geologic overview of the site of one of the largest silver rushes in U.S. history.

The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 led to the nation’s second major mineral rush, with thousands of prospectors pouring onto the slopes of Mount Davidson in western Nevada (then, Utah territory). Silver production peaked in 1877, and by the time this atlas was published by the United States Geologic Survey in 1882, the bonanza had largely subsided. However, this did not prevent Nevada from becoming known colloquially as “The Silver State.”

The maps in the atlas were created by George F. Becker, while the publication was overseen by Clarence King as both men were working under the auspices of the U.S.G.S. Included are maps of mining claims, cross sections of individual shafts and horizontal projections showing the locations of mineral deposits. Perhaps of most interest are the maps of the actual mines themselves, with different tunnels and shafts each color coded. Three maps showing vertical cross-sections are unfortunately missing.

Much of the survey work was done by King himself between 1867 and 1872 during the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (better known as the King survey). It was one of the four great reconnaissance adventures of the American West, along with those of Hayden, Wheeler, and Powell. These surveys, and others, were consolidated into the United States Geographical Survey in 1879, with King as its first director.