1940 Map of John Day

About this map

Canyon City and the neighboring settlement of John Day anchor this 1940 survey of the upper John Day River valley, a region defined by its gold mining history and rugged timberlands. The landscape is marked by the extensive Humboldt Diggings and numerous lode mines throughout the surrounding heights, including the Potato Patch Mine and the Golden West Mine (abandoned). This era shows the community at a crossroads of resource extraction and early conservation, with the Malheur National Forest and the Canyon Creek Game Refuge occupying the southern half of the quadrangle. Outside the towns, the map records a network of family-owned ranching operations such as the Trowbridge Ranch and Oliver Ranch, alongside rural education centers like Marysville School and Indian Creek School. Infrastructure of the day is noted by the Emergency Landing Field and the development of Highway 26.