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1897 Map of Mt. Hamilton

Name: 1897 Topographic Map of Mt. Hamilton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The Lick Observatory stands as the central landmark atop the high ridgelines of the Diablo Range in this 1895 survey of the Santa Clara backcountry. Situated on a prominent peak near Copernicus Pk. and Mt. Isabel, the observatory overlooks a complex network of canyons and high valleys, including the broad Isabel Valley and Halls Valley. This period of California history shows the landscape before modern development, where isolated outposts like Mowry Camp and the ranch lands of Valle de Pala define human presence.

Drainage systems such as Alameda Creek and the Arroyo Mocho carve through the steep terrain of Oak Ridge and Packard Ridge. The map details the early trail and road network that connected the Santa Clara Valley to the interior, passing landmarks like Masters Hill and winding through the San Felipe Valley. The intricate contour work by R. B. Marshall illustrates the challenging geography of the Pueblo Enerba Buena area during this era of reconnaissance surveying.