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1904 Map of Riddle

Name: 1904 Topographic Map of Riddle
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1927
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1927

About this map

The Southern Pacific RR carves a vital corridor through the mountainous terrain of southern Oregon, connecting settlements from Riddle and Cornutt down to Merlin. This 1901–1902 survey reveals a landscape driven by mineral extraction and early timber management, with the southern reaches of the Umpqua National Forest occupying the eastern heights. The map serves as a detailed record for mining history, pinpointing numerous active sites such as the Star Mine, Lucky Queen, and Orofino Mine tucked into the gulches.

Along the winding path of Cow Creek, small communities like Galesville and Starvout represent the era's rural infrastructure, while the Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse stands as a focal point for families in the valley. The topographic detail captures the transition from the agricultural Missouri Bottom to the high peaks of Nickel Mtn and Tellurium Peak, illustrating how the early 20th-century economy was deeply tied to the specific geology of the Klamath and Cascade foothills.