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1944 Map of Valley Springs

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

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The Mokelumne River and Calaveras River systems anchor this 1941 survey, showing the agricultural and mining landscapes of Calaveras County before later mid-century developments. Early settlements like Camanche and Lancha Plana are documented along the riverbanks, alongside the terminus of the Southern Pacific railroad at Valley Springs. The landscape is a mix of small ranching operations and localized industry, evidenced by family-named landmarks such as the Rosabella Ranch, Ospital Ranch, and Gahn Ranch.

Remote infrastructure of the era is visible in the Evergreen Sch and Douglas Sch, while the Stone Corral Ch and the McCarty Mine near Salt Spring Valley Reservoir point to the social and economic centers of these rural communities. The map captures a moment when the Pardee Res was already established, but the surrounding hills were still dominated by gold-era gulches like Rich Gulch and South Gulch.