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1957 Map of Elk Creek

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Elk Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

Mendocino National Forest dominates the western half of this Glenn County landscape, where deep canyons and high points like Sanhedrin Ridge define the transition to the Sacramento Valley. The 1957 revision captures a rural economy shaped by ranching and timber, evidenced by numerous named homesteads such as Gillaspy Ranch, Rowcroft Ranch, and Garrison Ranch. Cultural landmarks like the Grindstone Rancheria Indian Res and the town of Elk Creek sit along the eastern edge, where the terrain flattens toward the water.

The engineering of Stony Gorge Reservoir creates a massive northern boundary for the waters of Stony Creek, providing a focal point for the region's development. Local history is traced through small-scale agriculture and forest camps, from Valley View Orchard and Dixon Orchard to the remote Vanderford Cabin and Butler Camp. The map's detailed plotting of trails and forest roads reveals the intricate network used by residents and foresters to navigate between points like Alder Springs and the State Game Refuge.