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1954 Map of Cave Junction

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Cave Junction
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Cave Junction and the surrounding Illinois Valley landscape are captured here during a mid-century period of transition, where timber and mining legacies meet emerging modern infrastructure. The Redwood Highway serves as the primary artery, connecting settlements like Kerby and O'Brien while passing a Drive-in Theater and a Landing Strip near the town center. The map documents the enduring footprint of the region's mining history, notably at the Esterly Mine and the historic Waldo (Site).

Elevations rise sharply into the Siskiyou National Forest, defined by landmarks such as Tennessee Mtn and Buckhorn Ridge. This survey is particularly valuable for tracing early drainage and settlement patterns along the Illinois River and its numerous tributaries, including Sucker Creek and Althouse Creek, which supported early hydraulic mining and homesteading. Smaller vanished locales like Browntown and Democrat are preserved alongside established community hubs like Takilma and the Laurel Cemetery.