1954 Map of Observation Peak

About this map

Madeline Plains anchor the western reaches of this high-desert landscape, where ranching and water management define the settlement patterns of the mid-1950s. Named outposts like Horne Ranch, Madeline Ranch, and Cold Spring Ranch are scattered across the terrain, connected by primitive routes and a network of reservoirs including Dodge Reservoir and Dunn Reservoir. To the south, the topography rises sharply toward Observation Peak, which overlooks a dedicated State Game Refuge. This survey captures a moment when the livestock industry relied on isolated improvements such as Shearing Corrals and remote watering points like Harrison Spring and Hog Spring. The map documents the stark border between Lassen County, California, and Washoe County, Nevada, where the high-altitude Cottonwood Mountains meet the vast flats of Painters Flat.