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1947 Map of Bear Valley

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Bear Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

Bear Valley sits at the heart of this post-war landscape, a region deeply defined by its mining heritage and the rugged drainage of the Merced River. The map reveals a dense concentration of mineral extraction sites along the hillsides, including the Pine Tree Mine, Josephine Mine, and the Mountain King Mine (Abandoned). These workings, alongside smaller prospects like the Golden Key Mine and Diltz Mine, speak to the enduring geological draw of the Mother Lode.

Settlement patterns in 1947 show the community of Mt Bullion and the educational anchor of the Bear Valley Sch. Agriculture and early aviation are represented by the Trabuco Gardens and the Mariposa Airport. Topographical features such as Fremont Pk and the meandering courses of Sherlock Creek and Bear Creek frame the industrial and residential sites, providing a clear view of how the area's gold-rush origins transitioned into a mid-century rural economy.