1981 Map of Chicago Valley

About this map

Stauffer Rim defines the northern edge of this high desert terrain in Lake County, where the 1970s landscape is characterized by a sparse but essential network of named water sources. The map provides a detailed view of the remote Chicago Valley and Browns Valley, showing how cattle ranching and land management shaped the area through features like the Water Tank and numerous basins. Life in this arid region centered on critical points such as Juniper Waterhole and Hidden Lake, which served as vital landmarks for navigation and survival. These named waterholes, including One Crock Waterhole and Musser Waterhole, offer specific points of interest for those researching the early ranching history and land use patterns of the Oregon high desert. The survey also notes curious local landmarks such as Parachute Pond and False Waterhole, reflecting a specific era of topographic recording.