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1915 Map of Priest Valley

Name: 1915 Topographic Map of Priest Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1915
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1915

About this map

New Idria and its associated Idria PO serve as a central hub for the quicksilver mining activity that dominated the southern Diablo Range in the early 20th century. This area is defined by a series of northwest-trending ridges including Mustang Ridge and Juniper Ridge, with the San Lorenzo River and Peachtree Creek carving through the valleys. The map documents an extensive network of remote mining operations like the Picacho Mine, Gem Mine, and the Monterey Coal Mine, highlighting the era's reliance on mineral extraction.

Transportation is anchored by the Southern Pacific Railroad (Coast Line) following the Salinas River near San Ardo in the southwest corner. For the genealogist, dozens of rural schoolhouses such as Tully School, Lewis Creek School, and Platea School provide specific markers of early settlement patterns before these communities consolidated. Natural landmarks like The Pinnacles and Fresno Hot Springs further characterize this frontier territory within the Monterey National Forest.