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1948 Map of Chico

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Chico
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Chico serves as the focal point of this 1948 topographic survey, with later revisions tracking the town's expansion toward Chapmantown and Barber. The industrial footprint is anchored by the Diamond Match Factory, a massive facility that shaped the local economy. Education and research are prominent, shown through the grounds of Chico State College and the specialized US Dept of Agriculture Plant Introduction Garden.

Natural drainage systems like Big Chico Creek and Lindo Channel define the northern landscape, while the sprawling Bidwell Park follows the creek's path into the foothills. The transportation network is dominated by the Southern Pacific and Sacramento Northern railroads, which facilitated the movement of goods from the surrounding agricultural lands. To the south, the smaller settlements of Durham and Dayton appear amidst a grid of irrigation canals like Crouch Ditch and the winding course of Butte Creek.