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1968 Map of Bickmore Canyon

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Bickmore Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The San Andreas Rift Zone dominates the geological character of this San Benito County landscape, carving a distinct corridor through the terrain where the San Benito River flows. This late 1960s survey documents a region of large cattle operations and remote outposts, including Melendy Ranch, Schmidt Ranch, and Butts Ranch. The southern portion of the map reveals the northern boundary of Pinnacles National Monument, highlighting landmarks like Balconies and the rugged drainage of Chalone Creek.

Local history and genealogy interests are anchored by the Willow Creek Cem and evidence of early resource exploration at the Prospect near Willow Creek. The map also details essential infrastructure for the era's land management, such as the Bear Valley Fire Control Sta and several Gaging Stations along the river. This survey captures a specific moment in the rural development of the Gabilan Range before modern expansion, preserving the exact locations of family-named ranch sites and early backcountry trails.