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1948 Map of Rail Road Flat

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Rail Road Flat
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

The Middle Fork Mokelumne River and its numerous tributaries carve through the heart of this gold-country landscape, where 1940s land use reflects a transition from intensive mining to ranching and recreation. The settlement of Rail Road Flat serves as a local hub, while smaller communities like Glencoe and the site of Rich Gulch are situated among a network of steep canyons. The concentration of mining activity is evident through named operations such as the Etna Mine, Wolverine Mine, and Jeff Davis Mine, alongside more contemporary developments like the Victory Dude Ranch.

Hydrology is central to the area's development, with the North Fork Calaveras River and various man-made structures like the Valentine Ditch and Clark Res supporting both industry and irrigation. Travel through the region follows long-established routes, including the Ponderosa Way and Whiskey Slide Road, which navigate the complex terrain around Alabama Hill. The inclusion of a small Cem near Independence provides a point of interest for genealogists tracing early families in the Calaveras and Amador county borderlands.