1953 Map of Snelling

About this map

Snelling serves as the focal point of this Central Valley landscape, situated just north of the Merced River. The map reveals a post-war environment where historical gold mining has fundamentally altered the terrain; extensive Dredge Tailings flank the river and Ingalsbe Slough, creating a distinct corrugated pattern across the valley floor. Agriculture and water management are evident through the complex network of the North Side Canal, Main Canal, and Crocker-Hoffman Canal, which divert water to the surrounding fields. Local transit and small-scale settlement are marked by family-named landmarks such as Halterman and Figmond along their eponymous roads. To the north, the terrain transitions into the lower foothills, drained by Dry Creek and its south fork, while the county boundaries with Stanislaus and Mariposa cut through the northern and eastern uplands.