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1956 Map of Big Meadow

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Big Meadow
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Calaveras Big Trees State Park (South Grove) and the rugged drainages of the North Fork Mokelumne River and Stanislaus River dominate this mid-century survey of the High Sierra. The landscape is dotted with seasonal camps and historic waypoints, such as Bloods Toll Sta (Site) and Lombardi, reflecting the area’s transition from early pioneer trails to modern recreational and forestry use. The map records the infrastructure of the era, from the Highway Maintenance Sta at Big Meadow to several isolated dwellings like Mattley Cabin and Brown Girl Cabin.

Significant water management is visible at Salt Springs Reservoir in the north, while the southern reaches follow the winding course of Beaver Creek and Griswold Creek. The presence of numerous named meadows such as Randalls Meadow and Prather Meadow alongside scattered Boy Scout Camp and Snyder Camp locations illustrates how this part of the Sierra Nevada was utilized for both summer grazing and wilderness youth organizations during the 1950s.