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1949 Map of Coloma

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Coloma
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Gold Discovery Site State Park anchors this terrain along the South Fork American River, marking the pivotal location of Sutters Mill (Site). The map captures the historic heart of California's gold rush era, centered on the town of Coloma and the nearby James W Marshall State Historical Monument. The landscape is etched with the evidence of extractive industry, from the Lilyama Mine near Hastings Creek to the Boulder Mine and Delores Mine further south.

Settlement patterns follow the winding river and narrow valleys, with small communities like Lotus and Gold Hill connected by routes such as Gold Springs Road. Beyond the major historical sites, the map details local institutions essential to 20th-century rural life, including the Springvale School and the Uniontown Cem. The topography is defined by prominent peaks like Mt Ararat and Clark Mtn, overlooking a network of drainage systems including Greenwood Creek and Weber Creek.