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1953 Map of Shaver Lake

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Shaver Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The San Joaquin River carves a deep canyon through this portion of the Sierra National Forest, separating Fresno and Madera counties during the early 1950s. Hydroelectric development is central to the area's landscape, evidenced by a string of infrastructure including Powerhouse 1A and Powerhouse 8, which utilize the waters of Shaver Lake. Local history is deeply rooted in the timber and mining industries, with sites like Old Bretz Mill and the Pine Grove Mine dotting the terrain.

Social and community landmarks appear at Shaver Lake Heights, the Auberry Indian Mission, and the Wish-I-Ah Sanatorium. The map captures the transition from older transport methods to mid-century infrastructure, featuring the Old Railroad Grade alongside more modern routes like the Lerona Fire Lane and Tollhouse Road. Higher elevations reveal specialized settlements like Camp Sierra and Camp Chawanakee, which served as seasonal hubs for recreation and forestry work.