1953 Map of Shaver Lake

About this map

The San Joaquin River carves a deep path through this mid-century landscape of the Sierra Nevada, defining the boundary between Madera and Fresno counties. The map documents an area defined by early hydroelectric development and mountain industry, centered on Shaver Lake and its surrounding infrastructure. Notable for local history, the sheet identifies several remote institutions including the Wish-I-Ah Sanatorium and the North Fork Indian Mission, alongside established settlements like Auberry and Tollhouse. Industrial relics and active facilities are scattered throughout, from the San Joaquin Mines to the hydroelectric Powerhouse 2 and Powerhouse 4. Movement through the terrain is traced along the historic Mammoth Road and various old railroad grades, reflecting the transition from timber extraction at sites like Old Bretz Mill to the recreational and utility-focused landscape emerging around Shaver Lake Heights.