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1895 Map of Truckee

Name: 1895 Topographic Map of Truckee
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1906
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1906

About this map

Truckee serves as the central hub of this 1889 survey, captured as the transcontinental railroad era transformed the High Sierra. The Central Pacific RR and Southern Pacific RR wind through the high passes, tracing a path past Donner Lake and the Summit Valley that mirrors the historic emigrant trails. The landscape is dotted with early hospitality and industry, from the Lake House and Prosser House to various sawmills supporting the region's timber demands.

Beyond the tracks, the survey reveals a network of remote alpine springs and meadows, including Rubicon Springs, Heath Springs, and Scotts Springs. The map meticulously records the rugged high-elevation terrain of the Sierra Nevada, documenting peaks like Mt Lola and Castle Peak alongside the headwaters of the Yuba River and American River. This record preserves the early infrastructure of Placer, Nevada, and Sierra counties before modern development reshaped the Tahoe periphery.