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1938 Map of Colfax

Name: 1938 Topographic Map of Colfax
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1938
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1938

About this map

Tahoe National Forest and Eldorado National Forest dominate this landscape, where the Sierra Nevada's deep river canyons shaped a complex network of 1930s resource extraction and early mountain infrastructure. The Middle Fork Yuba River and South Fork Yuba River cut through the terrain, flanked by significant mining operations like the Sixteen to One Mine and Spanish Mine. Smaller settlements and worker outposts such as Graniteville, Lake City, and Relief are scattered along the ridges, connected by roads that navigate around landmarks like Lovers Leap and Giant Gap.

Water management for both mining and hydroelectric power is evident in the system of reservoirs including Bowman Lake, Spaulding Lake, and Fordyce Lake. Local administration and education are represented by the North Bloomfield Ranger Station and rural institutions like Blue Tent Sch and Spring Garden Sch. The Southern Pacific railroad provides a vital transportation corridor through the lower elevations, passing through points like Cape Horn as it traverses the Nevada and Placer County line.