1952 Map of Michigan Bluff

About this map

The Forest Hill Divide separates the deep river canyons of the North Fork American River and the Middle Fork American River, defining a landscape heavily marked by mid-century resource extraction and early settlement sites. Gold mining legacy is evident in the extensive Big Gun Diggings near Michigan Bluff, as well as dozens of named shafts and tunnels like the Mountain Chief Mine, Golden Gate Mine, and El Dorado Hill Mine. The map documents several ghost towns or former settlements, labeled as sites, including Sunnysouth, Maintop, and Deadwood. High on the ridges, the Mosquito Ridge Lookout and the Cedar Springs Flight Strip provided essential infrastructure for the Tahoe National Forest. Along the riverbanks, numerous bars such as Stumps Bar and Alabama Bar indicate areas of earlier placer activity or prominent river crossings.