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1948 Map of West Point

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of West Point
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

The North Fork Mokelumne River and its deep river canyons carve through the boundary of Amador and Calaveras counties, defining a landscape of industrial water management and gold-era mining. This 1948 survey reveals a network of engineered waterways, including the Volcano Ditch, Ashland Ditch, and Lower Standard Canal, which once powered the region's hydraulic needs. Settlements like West Point and Bummerville serve as hubs in the southeastern corner, while the West Point Power House stands as a focal point of utility development near the river junction.

Hard-rock mining operations are scattered throughout the hills, evidenced by the Belden Mine, Black Prince Mine, and Amador-Columbia Mine. The map traces the remnants of early infrastructure, from the Golden Gate Ditch in the north to the Upper Standard Canal winding above the river. For genealogists, the Cemetery near Sandy Gulch and the distinct layout of Wilseyville provide specific points of interest for tracing local families during this post-war period.