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1950 Map of Bidwell Bar

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Bidwell Bar
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

The North Fork Feather River, Middle Fork Feather River, and South Fork Feather River converge in this 1950 topographical study, revealing the complex water management and gold-era geography of Butte County. The landscape is defined by its bars—depositional river features that served as critical mining sites—including Montgomery Bar, Miller Bar, and Stringtown Bar. Infrastructure such as the Palermo Canal, a Siphon, and a Flume trace the movement of water across the ridges, supporting the region's agricultural and mining interests.

Settlement patterns are represented by family-named landmarks like Miners Ranch and Schaefer Ranch, alongside the Atkins Sch near Lake Wyandotte. The Western Pacific railroad follows the winding path of the North Fork, while the Ponderosa Way cuts through the high ground. This map captures the area just before significant mid-century changes, documenting the location of Bidwell Bar and its surrounding state park at the heart of the canyon network.