The exact location of Altair is still unknown. I found an old map
that
shows it to be somewhere between Arena and Malpais, however exploring
this
area, I found no signs of a town. The map may not have been reliable,
but
I still feel there may have been a town here at one time. One reason is
the distance between Arena and Malpais which is 11.1 miles. Most towns
along this railroad are distanced approx. 6 or 7 miles from each other.
If Altair existed, this location would be consistent with the other
towns
as far as distance is concerned. Another reason, is the location of the
Indian Basin Road. This road is used by ranchers in the area to access
a stock tank located about 2 miles to the north of the railroad. The
road
does not go directly to the railroad track, yet runs at a 45 degree
angle
to the railroad track. Is there a reason that the road needed to meet
the
railroad track at this particular location? I feel that if the town did
exist, the location where the Indian Basin road connects is where it
would
be. One spot worth mentioning, and possible may be related to the town,
is a hill about 1 mile south of the railroad grade with some type of
aircraft
beacon tower on top of it. At the base of the hill is a foundation to a
small building that looks like it contained an electric generator, and
there are a few power line poles between this structure and the beacon
on top of the hill. My guess is that this is a military installation of
some sort, built in the 1930's or 1940's, used to guide early
aircraft
flying over the area. Just a guess, but the town of Altair, may
be
related to this.
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