1957 Map of Mariposa

About this map

Yosemite Valley and the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada define this mid-century topographic survey, showing the high-country landscape before modern expansion. This map captures the region's complex water management and power infrastructure, including the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Millerton Lake, and the winding Madera Canal that feeds the valley below. While much of the terrain is protected within Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest, the map also details the smaller communities that supported regional tourism and industry, such as El Portal, Wawona, and Lee Vining. To the east, the Volcanic Tableland and the Owens River valley provide a stark contrast to the granite heights, featuring specialized industry at the Pine Creek Mine. Transit corridors like U.S. Highway 395 and the Southern Pacific RR facilitate movement across the state line into Nevada near Boundary Peak.