1912 Map of Nelson

About this map

Butte Creek meanders through the heart of this Sacramento Valley landscape, illustrating the complex drainage patterns of Butte County before modern large-scale water management projects. Surveyed in 1910, the map captures a period of significant transit transition as the Northern Electric R. R. and the Southern Pacific (Marysville Line) both bisect the region, serving the agrarian communities of Nelson and Esquon. The intricate network of seasonal waterways, including Durham Slough and Ash Creek, highlights the low-lying terrain and the importance of natural drainage for the surrounding ranchlands. The boundary between Butte Co and Glenn Co is clearly demarcated, providing a valuable reference for local historians and genealogists tracing early 20th-century property lines and regional development.