1954 Map of Alturas

About this map

Modoc Plateau and Warner Mountains dominate this Northeastern California landscape, capturing the region as it appeared in the mid-1950s with revisions through 1971. The map details a complex network of public and tribal lands, including Fort Bidwell Indian Res, XL Ranch Ind Res, and the volcanic terrain of Lava Beds National Monument. Settlement patterns follow the valleys, with Alturas serving as a central hub for the surrounding cattle country and timberlands. Transportation is defined by the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific railroads, which facilitated the movement of goods through high-desert outposts like Bieber and Likely. The hydrology of the area is particularly distinct, showing the sprawling basins of Goose Lake and Clear Lake Reservoir alongside the Surprise Valley sink. Researchers can trace irrigation and land use through various wildlife refuges and reservoirs that manage the waters of the Pit River.