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1948 Map of Nevada City

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Nevada City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Nevada City sits at the southern edge of this California Gold Country landscape, where the town's early urban grid meets the steep canyons of the South Yuba River. The map documents a transition from active settlement to legacy industry, particularly visible in the northern reaches near Cherokee Diggings and the Daisy Blue Mine (Abandoned). These labels, along with the Empress Mine (Abandoned) and Champion Mine, mark the deep history of extraction that shaped the terrain's ridges and flats.

Transportation through the river valley is anchored by Purdon Crossing and Hoyt Crossing, while the upland areas are dotted with family-named holdings such as the Williams Ranch, Reader Ranch, and Murphy Ranch. The presence of the Shady Creek Fire Camp and the Nevada City Airport reflects the mid-century infrastructure supporting the community, while Lake Vera and Selby Flat provide a sense of the varied recreational and residential geography outside the main city center.