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1947 Map of Plainsburg

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Plainsburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1947
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1947

About this map

Plainsburg and Le Grand anchor this agricultural landscape in the San Joaquin Valley just after World War II, where the network of sloughs and ditches reveals a complex system of water management. The terrain is defined by the Chowchilla River and its overflow channels, including North Slough and Ash Slough, which weave through a grid of section lines dotted with dozens of windmills. Transportation is dominated by the heavy rail presence of the Southern Pacific and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Road, which facilitated the movement of goods from local sidings and settlements like Athlone and Minturn.

The survey captures specialized infrastructure such as the Athlone Airport and the Le Grand Substation, marking the intersection of traditional ranching and modern utility. Small local landmarks like the Savana Sch and the transition across the Merced and Madera county line provide essential touchpoints for genealogists and local historians tracing the development of these Central Valley communities.