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1948 Map of Clipper Mills

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

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Clipper Mills and its surrounding mountain ridges define this 1948 survey of the southern Sierras, captured just as the region's timber and hydroelectric infrastructure was evolving. The map reveals a landscape of isolated settlements and specialized resource sites, from the Clipper Mills School to the Forbestown Diversion Dam. The industrial character of the era is evident in the scattered mining operations such as the Triumph Mine and Monte de Oro Mine, alongside evidence of local timber processing at the Sawmill near Woodleaf.

Transport and water management dictate the settlement patterns, shown through the network of Ditch and Pipeline segments serving the high ridges. Significant landmarks like Feather Falls and the Lumpkin River are framed by private holdings such as Maynards Ranch and Bean Ranch, providing a detailed look at land usage before modern expansion. This documentation, updated with 1975 revisions, includes the formation of the New Bullards Bar Reservoir, which dramatically altered the drainage of Empire Creek and the surrounding canyons.