1950 Map of Big Pine

About this map

Big Pine serves as the primary gateway to the high peaks of the eastern Sierra, where the Owens River and Big Pine Canal support agriculture at the valley's edge. This 1950 survey documents the transition from the arid valley floor to the glaciated terrain of Kings Canyon National Park, featuring the Palisade Glacier and Norman Clyde Glacier beneath the high crest. The landscape is defined by its water management and transport, with the Southern Pacific rail line running parallel to the river and several prospects scattered near Shannon Canyon. Unusual local landmarks like the Indian Rancheria, the County Farm, and the Owens Valley Ranch provide specific points of interest for genealogists and local historians studying the mid-century social and industrial footprint of Inyo County. High-altitude recreation is represented by Glacier Lodge, the staging point for the chain of Big Pine Lakes.