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1892 Map of Modoc Lava Bed

Name: 1892 Topographic Map of Modoc Lava Bed
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1899
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1899

About this map

The Modoc Lava Bed dominates this reconnaissance of the high volcanic plateau where Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, and Lassen counties meet. Fieldwork from the 1880s reveals a landscape defined by volcanic landmarks such as Cinder Cone, Glass Mt, and the Ice Cave. The volcanic character of the terrain dictated early settlement patterns, with isolated outposts like Bieber, Lookout, and Pittville clustered along the southern watercourses, while the north is marked by large basins like Rhett Lake and Little Klamath Lake.

Cultural history is preserved through labels such as the Modoc Rifle Pit near Bloody Point, grounding the map in the era's regional conflicts. In the south, the Pit River and Fall River provide a stark contrast to the arid lava ridges, supporting small agricultural communities like Burgettville. This survey documents the region before modern water management and road networks, capturing the primitive connectivity between mountain springs and remote valley settlements.