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1947 Map of Wheatland

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Wheatland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Johnson Rancho land grants and agricultural operations define the landscape of the Bear River valley during the mid-20th century. The town of Wheatland serves as the primary hub along the Southern Pacific railroad line, supported by surrounding pastoral holdings such as Boardman Ranch and Durst Ranch. To the north, the expanding footprint of Beale Air Force Base begins to overwrite the rural topography, representing a significant shift in land use from traditional ranching to military defense operations.

The complex drainage of the Central Valley is evident in the winding courses of Dry Creek, Best Slough, and Hutchinson Creek. Levees flank the lower waterways near Horstville, protecting the low-lying agricultural fields. Smaller transport features like Erle Siding and a rural Landing Strip illustrate the infrastructure required to move local produce and materials during this period of post-war development.