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1944 Map of Wilbur Springs

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

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Quicksilver mining defines the rugged interior of the Coast Ranges shown here in the early 1940s, centered on the mineral-rich district near Wilbur Springs. The landscape is marked by numerous industrial operations, including the Abbott Mine, Mercury Mine, and the Wide Awake Mine, which suggest the intensive mercury extraction that once drove the local economy along Sulphur Creek. These mines were critical during the war years, drawing labor to small remote settlements like Leesville and Mountain House.

The terrain is characterized by a series of north-south valleys such as Indian Valley and Antelope Valley, separated by prominent ridges like Walker Ridge. Beyond the mining activity, the map records rural ranching life at the Huffmaster Ranch and the presence of early transportation routes like the Manor Slough Trail. This survey provides an essential record for genealogists and industrial historians tracing the legacy of Colusa and Lake Counties' mining boom before many of these operations ceased.