2015 Map of Grass Valley

About this map

Grass Valley and Nevada City anchor this 2015 survey of the Sierra Nevada foothills, revealing a landscape deeply marked by its mining heritage and complex water management. The legacy of the Gold Rush is tangible in the presence of the Empire Mine and numerous historic cemeteries, including Greenwood Memorial Cemetery and the Saint Patricks Cemetery. Small residential clusters like Town Talk, Boston Ravine, and Glenbrook fill the gaps between the two primary towns, while family-named summits such as Alta Hill and Granite Hill define the local topography. An intricate network of water infrastructure, including the Lafayette Ditch, Allison Ranch Ditch, and Chicago Park Ditch, winds through the terrain, illustrating the historical necessity of diverting water for both mining operations and agriculture in this California gold country.