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1949 Map of Colfax

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Colfax
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

The Southern Pacific RR carves a critical path through this Gold Country landscape, anchoring the development of Colfax and its surrounding ridge-top communities. The map highlights the evolution of the region's infrastructure, showing the transition from early mining sites like the Rising Sun Mine to more established settlements. A notable historical waypoint is the Illinoistown (Site), a former supply hub during the Gold Rush that by this era was recorded primarily as a location of historical memory.

Steep ravines like Cape Horn Ravine and Robbers Ravine underscore the topographical challenges faced by early railroad engineers and miners. Along the western edge, the Boardman Canal and Ponderosa Canal trace the elevation contours, representing the vital water infrastructure necessary for both hydraulic mining and subsequent agriculture. Smaller communities such as Weimar, Applegate, and New England Mills appear alongside family-named landmarks like John Brown Flat, providing a detailed look at the rural settlement patterns of mid-century Placer County.