1915 Map of Spenceville

About this map

The Johnson Rancho land grant dominates the western landscape of this preliminary survey, where the low hills meet the winding course of the Bear River. This 1915 edition, based on earlier fieldwork by surveyors like E. R. Bartlett and M. A. Knock, captures a moment when the regional economy was defined by ranching and river access rather than modern infrastructure. A critical transport link is visible at McCourtney Crossing, providing a vital ford across the river at the junction of Yuba and Nevada counties. The map provides remarkable topographic detail along the steep banks of the Bear River and the drainage of Dry Creek, tracing the intricate contours of the foothills before the arrival of significant 20th-century water management projects. Researchers can also identify smaller geographic landmarks like Fenton Ravine in the southeastern corner, illustrating the detailed mapping of the gold country's drainage patterns.