1958 Map of Manor Slough

About this map

Antelope Valley and the surrounding coastal ranges dominate this late-1950s landscape, where steep ridgelines give way to the intricate drainage systems of the Sacramento Valley floor. The settlement of Mountain House serves as a lone landmark at the base of the hills, marking the intersection of the elevated terrain and the agricultural flats. Water management defines the eastern half of the map, characterized by the Glenn-Colusa Canal and the winding course of Manor Slough. The surveyor’s notes from 1958 document a transition from the natural flow of Lurline Creek and Freshwater Creek into a regulated network of lateral roads and siphons. This topographic study captures a moment of intensive land use, showing the contrast between the uncultivated slopes of Boxer Valley and the engineered irrigation infrastructure essential for the region's ranching and farming economy.