1949 Map of Grass Valley

About this map

Grass Valley serves as the industrial and population hub of this Nevada County region, surrounded by a dense network of gold mining operations that shaped the local landscape. The map captures the specialized infrastructure of the Mother Lode, from major workings like the Empire Mine and Pennsylvania Mine to the labyrinth of ditches and ravines used for water management. While the city grew around centers like Hills Flat and Spring Hill, the outlying areas remained dotted with independent settlements such as Rough and Ready and Cedar Ridge. To the south and west, the terrain transitions into the sprawling Camp Beale Military Reservation, contrasting the urban density of the mining district with vast restricted lands. The presence of several schools, including Indian Springs Sch and Forest Springs Sch, alongside the Elm Ridge Cem, provides vital points of interest for genealogists tracing 1940s family residences and local community structures.