1948 Map of Haystack Mountain

About this map

The boundary line between Mariposa Co and Merced Co cuts diagonally across this 1940s landscape, where cattle ranching and sparse water resources defined life in the California foothills. Large holdings like La Paloma Ranch and Waltz Ranch are situated along the drainage systems of Burns Creek and Toledo Creek, while the Merced Falls and Hornitos Road provides the primary transit link through the rolling terrain. The map is notable for its numerous water infrastructure labels, including Upper Well, Lower Well, and several strategically placed Windmills and Tanks, illustrating the importance of managing arid rangeland. Distinctive geologic features such as the volcanic China Hat, the prominent Haystack Mtn, and Courthouse Rock serve as key navigational landmarks in an area otherwise characterized by ephemeral waterways like Black Rascal Creek and Greaser Gulch.