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1951 Map of Downieville

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Downieville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

Downieville serves as the focal point for this rugged portion of the Tahoe National Forest, situated at the confluence of the Downie River and the North Fork Yuba River. The landscape is dominated by the legacy of the Gold Rush, with a dense concentration of quartz and placer mining operations. Landmarks like the Oxford Mine & Mill and the Monte Cristo Mine illustrate the intensive industrial effort to extract wealth from the ridges.

Evidence of historical transit and settlement is found along the Henness Pass Road and the cemetery near Oak Ranch. Beyond the primary mining sites, the map reveals a high-elevation network of family-named agricultural and residential outposts, including Empire Ranch and the Cornish House site on Cornish Flat. The terrain is deeply incised by drainages such as Pauley Creek and Lavezzola Creek, which descend from high points like Fir Cap and Grizzly Peak toward the river canyon below.