Loading map...

1980 Map of Paradise West

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Paradise West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Musty Buck Ridge and Doe Mill Ridge dominate this Northern California landscape, where deep canyons carved by Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek define the local geography. In the early 1980s, the area reflects a transition from the historic mining and early settlement era to modern utility and recreation. The infrastructure of the De Sabla Powerhouse and associated Flume systems demonstrates the complex management of water moving through the ridges, while the western edge shows the corporate boundary of Chico and the sprawling reach of Bidwell Park.

Genealogists and local historians will find significant data in the smaller settlements and historical sites scattered throughout the terrain. From the established community of Forest Ranch to the noted location of Helltown, the map preserves the names of early burial grounds like Centerville Cemetery and Nicholl Cem. The northeastern corner highlights the Indian Spring Mine, a remnant of the region's mineral extraction past near the rim of the canyon.