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1948 Map of Foresthill

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Foresthill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

Gold mining history defines this rugged stretch of the Sierra Nevada foothills, where the North Fork American River carves through deep canyons. The settlement of Foresthill serves as a central hub, while the surrounding landscape is a complex network of historic claims and hydraulic workings. Deep ravines such as Shirttail Canyon and Volcano Canyon are flanked by industrial sites like the Mayflower Mine, Paragon Mine, and the California Morning Star Mine.

Smaller settlements and family outposts are scattered throughout the Tahoe National Forest, including Iowa Hill, Yankee Jims, and Ebberts Ranch. The presence of Placer Diggings and the Iowa Hill Mine near the river indicates the intense mineral extraction that shaped the local geography. Evidence of 20th-century life appears in the small Landing Strip south of Foresthill and a Trailer Park near Mosquito Canyon, alongside more permanent fixtures like the Cem and Hughes Mill.