Loading map...

1944 Map of Ukiah

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Ukiah
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The Russian River corridor defines the valley floor of Mendocino County during the mid-1940s, serving as the primary artery for the Northwestern Pacific railroad and regional settlement. The city of Ukiah appears as the centralized urban hub, flanked by agricultural lands and numerous tribal lands including Coyote Valley Rancheria, Pinoleville Rancheria, and Guidiville Rancheria. This survey highlights a landscape of ranching and specialized institutions, notably the large campus of the State Hospital at Talmadge.

Upland from the river valley, the terrain transitions into the steep ridges of the Mayacamas Mountains, where family-named landmarks like McNab Ranch and Ruddick Ranch are scattered among the canyons. The presence of Vichy Springs and Purdys Gardens points to the area's early development as a destination for health and agriculture. The map preserves the specific placement of rural infrastructure, from the McNear School to the industrial Disposal Plant, before post-war expansion significantly altered the valley's footprint.