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1947 Map of Coulterville

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Coulterville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

The Merced River cuts a deep gorge through this portion of Mariposa County, anchoring a landscape defined by California's mid-century mining legacy. This 1947 field survey records the intricate network of hard-rock operations along the Mother Lode, ranging from the Mary Harrison Mine near Coulterville to the Red Cloud Mines in the south. The transition from the high ridges of the Stanislaus National Forest down to the lower foothills near Hornitos reveals a settlement pattern built entirely on mineral extraction and water access.

Genealogists and local historians can trace specific landmarks such as the Mt Ophir (Site) and the Quartzburg School, providing evidence of community life in these often isolated canyons. The topographic detail captures the early development of Lake McClure and the presence of the Red Cloud Highway, while naming dozens of smaller settlements like Dogtown, Cat Town, and Bear Valley that served the surrounding gold and silver claims.