1951 Map of Cape Mendocino

About this map

Cape Mendocino stands as the westernmost point of the California coast in this mid-century survey, a landscape defined by dramatic ridges and coastal ranching life. The Coast Guard Reservation and nearby Ocean House anchor the shoreline north of Mussel Rock, while the interior reveals a network of high-elevation grazing lands such as Green Pond Ranch and Bonanza Ranch. Further south, the settlement of Petrolia sits in the valley of the Mattole River, a notable hub for the region's early petroleum history, though by this era the map notes several Oil Wells as abandoned. The terrain is marked by the Humboldt Base Line, which crosses Branstetter Ridge and Walker Ridge. Coastal navigation is highlighted by hazardous offshore features like Blunts Reef and The Great Break, providing a clear picture of the maritime risks along this stretch of Humboldt County.