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1969 Map of Idria

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Idria
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Idria sits at the heart of this mineral-rich landscape, where industrial mercury mining defined the local economy and geography for generations. The map reveals an extensive network of extraction sites, most notably the massive New Idria Mine and the San Carlos Mines further south near San Carlos Peak. These operations are supported by a complex infrastructure of jeep trails and the New Idria Road, which connects the settlement to outlying agricultural sites like Ashurst Ranch.

The terrain is deeply dissected by steep canyons such as Larious Canyon, with water sources like Larious Spring providing critical resources in an otherwise arid environment. Along the northern edge, the Vallecitos valley floor hosts a Landing Field and several water tanks, illustrating the logistical requirements of maintaining a remote mining community. From the Spanish Mine to the Aurora Mine, the sheer density of named mineral claims underscores the intensity of the region's mid-century mining activity.