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1952 Map of Medicine Lake

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Medicine Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Lava Beds National Monument dominates the northern landscape of this 1952 survey, showcasing a complex volcanic terrain defined by numerous craters, buttes, and cave systems. The geological activity of the region is evident in massive features like Glass Mountain and Little Glass Mountain, alongside the extensive Glass Flow near Medicine Lake. This era shows a landscape utilized for both conservation and industry, with a Pumice Mine and Cinder Quarry operating within the Modoc National Forest.

Resource management and back-country access are traced through a network of specialized routes such as Lumber Road, Fire Camp Road, and Seed Plot Road. Remote outposts and water sources, including Underlakers Camp, Lava Camp, and Antelope Well, reveal the infrastructure required for forestry and ranching in this high-altitude volcanic basin. The map preserves the specific locations of natural landmarks like The Castles and Symbol Bridge before modern road realignments changed access to these formations.