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1954 Map of Alturas

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Alturas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Alturas serves as the regional hub in this 1970s revision, situated where the Pit River meets the western edge of the Warner Mountains. This high-desert landscape is defined by its volcanic geology and massive water bodies, including the sprawling Goose Lake on the Oregon-California border and the extensive Clear Lake Reservoir. The map illustrates a complex network of mid-century infrastructure, with the Southern Pacific, Great Northern, and Western Pacific railroads converging to move timber and livestock through the region.

From the Lava Beds in the northwest to the secluded Surprise Valley in the east, the map captures a rural economy sustained by small outposts like Likely, Bieber, and Eagleville. The vast reaches of the Modoc National Forest, Klamath National Forest, and Shasta National Forest dominate the terrain, punctuated by significant landmarks such as Glass Mountain and the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge.