1966 Map of Lincoln Ridge

About this map

Lincoln Ridge and Elkhorn Ridge dominate this Mendocino County landscape, where the drainage network of the Eel River South Fork carves through the coastal ranges. The map reveals a land defined by its watersheds, from the complex tributaries of Hollow Tree Creek to the various forks of Wages Creek and Juan Creek. Evidence of rural settlement and agriculture appears in labels like Baptiste Orchard and Strauss Orchard, while the Wilderness Lodge in the northeast corner suggests the area's role in recreation and forestry. Transportation is limited to narrow routes like Branscomb Road and numerous four-wheel-drive tracks, reflecting the difficult terrain that historically isolated these inland canyons. A Gaging Station on Elder Creek indicates the importance of monitoring these vital water resources during the mid-20th century.