1949 Map of Colfax

About this map

Southern Pacific rail lines anchor the high ground in this mid-century portrait of the Sierra Nevada foothills, tracing a path through the vital transit hub of Colfax. The landscape is a complex network of industrial history and emerging settlements, where the historic Illinoistown site sits just south of the main town. To the east, the terrain drops sharply into the canyon of the North Fork American River, while to the west, the Boardman Canal winds along the contours toward Weimar and Applegate. This area reveals the tail end of the California gold rush era, documented by numerous dormant workings such as the Rising Sun Mine and Welcome Mine. The transition from mining to a more diversified economy is evident in the presence of the Sanatorium near Weimar and several family-named ranches like Hidden Valley Ranch and Diamond Heart Ranch.