1944 Map of Pleito Hills

About this map

Harris Ranch and the open expanse of Neasons Flat sit at the heart of this mid-century survey, conducted by the U.S. Forest Service during the Second World War. The landscape is defined by the significant elevation of the Pleito Hills, rising toward the southern boundary where the Los Padres National Forest begins. This high-country terrain is deeply etched by a network of seasonal drainage systems, including Pleito Creek, Lost Canyon, and Black Bob Canyon. The mapping of remote landmarks like Antimony Pk and Richards reflects the wartime focus on identifying strategic resources and survey points in the California interior. The placement of small-scale ranching and homestead sites reveals how early 20th-century settlers utilized the few flat terraces and springs found among these steep canyons and ridges.