1886 Map of Alturas

About this map

Alturas serves as the central hub of this 1886 landscape, situated at the confluence of the North Fork Pit River and the South Fork Pit River. The topography is dominated by the massive Warner Mountains, which separate the Pit River drainage from the alkali lake basins to the east. This era of Northeastern California history is marked by isolated outposts and early ranching settlements like Fort Bidwell and Canby. One of the most distinctive features recorded is the location of Old Indian Villages in the Ingalls Valley, providing a rare spatial reference for indigenous occupation alongside the growing towns of Cedarville and Adin. Large bodies of water, including Goose Lake and Middle Alkali Lake, define the northern and eastern borders, while the southern reaches show the mining interests at Hayden Hill and Hayden City.