Panoramic Perspective of the Area Adjacent to Las Vegas – Hoover Dam and Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Gorgeous bird’s eye view of one of the most spectacular regions in the American Southwest.

This perspective of the area around Las Vegas and Lake Mead was produced by the Union Pacific Railway Company as promotional material for tourists – for a time the only rail line from which the Hoover Dam and Sin City could be accessed. A profile of the railroad can be seen bisecting the region running alongside U.S. Highway 91, formerly the Arrowhead Trail and a route that would eventually become Interstate 15.

The map shows the area from Death Valley in the east to the Grand Canyon in the west and includes Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Bryce, Zion and Cedar Breaks Parks. Fantastic topographical detail is illustrated and labeled in depth, and the image also includes points of elevation and soundings in Lake Mead. Of particular interest is the Atomic Energy Commission Testing Grounds, which was established in 1951 as a location for testing nuclear bombs. Over 100 atmospheric tests took place during the 1950’s and the mushroom clouds could be seen over 100 miles away! The author, Gerald Eddy, created several bird’s eye views and panoramas of the American Southwest during the middle part of the 20th century.

On the verso are several panels promoting Las Vegas and Hoover Dam, including photographs and inset maps.