1950 Map of Las Plumas

About this map

Big Bend Mountain dominates the center of this 1950 Butte County landscape, surrounded by the deep incisions of the North Fork Feather River and its various branches. This era shows a rugged region defined by industrial extraction and hydroelectric potential, with the Western Pacific railroad snaking along the riverbanks through tunnels and past remote outposts like Isaiah and Berry Creek Station. The presence of several named lode claims, such as the Surcease Mine and Evening Star Mine, indicates a persistent mining interest in the hills north of the river. Small settlements and specialized landmarks are scattered throughout the Plumas National Forest, including the community of Las Plumas and the local Berry Creek Sch. The map also captures infrastructure like the Diversion Dam and Powerhouse, reflecting the engineering works of the Bureau Of Reclamation in this mountainous terrain during the mid-twentieth century.