1959 Map of The Geysers

About this map

Industrial development in the Maacamas Mountains is prominently displayed on this survey, highlighting the geothermal and mining activity of the late 1950s. The landscape is defined by the steaming activity at The Geysers (Steam Wells) and the nearby Geysers Resort, where early energy infrastructure like the Powerplant began to emerge along the banks of Big Sulphur Creek. Geologists and historians can trace the concentration of mineral extraction through a network of adits and mine sites, including the Buckman Mines and Mercuryville. The terrain transitions from these industrial corridors to the high ridges of Geyser Peak and Burned Mountain. This map also preserves the locations of early rural habitations such as Caldwell Ranch and Binkley Ranch, providing a window into the remote settlement patterns within the rugged borderlands of Sonoma and Lake Counties.