1952 Map of Covelo

About this map

The Round Valley Indian Reservation dominates this mid-century topography, centered on the valley floor where the settlement of Covelo serves as a hub of activity. This 1952 field-checked survey reveals a landscape where the valley's level fields and cattle operations at Bauer Ranch and Capistran Ranch contrast sharply with the surrounding mountains of the Mendocino National Forest. Water is the lifeblood of the region, with Mill Creek and Grist Creek feeding into the Middle Fork Eel River. Evidence of early community infrastructure is found at the Reservation School and the Nomlackie Cem, while the higher elevations are marked by remote outposts like the Osborn Ranger Sta and the winding Travelers Home Trail. The map captures a transition point in Northern California's back country, where established family ranches like the Foster Ranch were still the primary landmarks in a world defined by peaks like Leech Lake Mtn and Castle Peak.