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1950 Map of Washington

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Washington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

Tahoe National Forest terrain dominates this mid-century survey of the Nevada County gold country, where the South Fork Yuba River carves through deep canyons. The settlement of Washington sits at the river's bend, serving as a focal point for a landscape defined by its mining heritage. Evidence of large-scale hydraulic operations is visible at the Alpha Diggings and Omega Diggings, while smaller individual efforts are marked at the Grant King Mine and Blue Lead Mine.

Water management systems are intricate, featuring the Cascade Canal, Yuba Canal, and a penstock leading to the Deer Creek Powerhouse. Former centers of activity are noted as historic footprints, including the Junction House (Site) and Lowell Hill (Site). The map also identifies the White Cloud Guard Sta and the Dana Ranch, illustrating the transition from intensive mining to forest management and rural habitation along Washington Ridge.