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1976 Map of Placerville

Name: 1976 Topographic Map of Placerville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1994
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1994

About this map

Placerville and the Sierra foothills are captured in this mid-1970s survey, illustrating the complex geography of the Mother Lode and the high Sierra Nevada. The map documents the historic Gold Rush corridor along the South Fork American River, notably featuring the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park at Coloma. This transition from the foothill settlements like Diamond Springs and Shingle Springs to the alpine terrain of the Crystal Range reveals the development of water infrastructure, including the Union Valley Reservoir and Ice House Reservoir, which reshaped the mountain landscape.

Transportation networks are anchored by the high-elevation reach of Route 50 and the local Camino Placerville & Lake Tahoe RR. To the east, the map details the recreation and conservation zones of Lake Tahoe, encompassing South Lake Tahoe and the Desolation Wilderness. Old road-stop landmarks like Grizzly Bear House and Cooks Station appear alongside timber and mining-era ridges such as Iron Mountain and Peavine Ridge, offering a clear view of land use before the expansion of the modern era.