1892 Map of Modoc Lava Bed

About this map

The Modoc Lava Bed dominates this northeastern California landscape, reflecting a volcanic terrain that significantly influenced early settlement and movement. In the late nineteenth century, the region was defined by its geologic extremes, from the expanse of Tule Lake and Lower Klamath Lake to the north, to the jagged lava ridges and craters of the interior. A notable historical site is the Modoc Rifle Pit near the eastern shore of Tule Lake, a marker of the local conflict in the decade preceding this survey. To the south, early outposts like Bieber, Lookout, and Burgettville sit along the Pit River and Ash Creek, forming a network of small ranching and logging communities. High-altitude landmarks such as Mt Hoffmann and Glass Mt surround the secluded Medicine Lake, while isolated features like the Ice Cave and Fort M point to the practical realities of frontier life in a demanding environment.