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1922 Map of Willits

Name: 1922 Topographic Map of Willits
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1922
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1922

About this map

Willits serves as the central hub of this 1922 tactical survey, situated within the expansive Little Lake Valley. The landscape is defined by the convergence of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad and the California Western R.R. and Navigation Co., reflecting the era's heavy reliance on rail for timber and regional transport. To the west, the rails wind through steep terrain near Shake City and Soda Springs, while industrial activity is evidenced by the Old Saw Mill to the east.

Smaller settlements and railroad stops like Muir, Simerson, and Rowes dot the valley floor and surrounding ridges. The map meticulously records the rugged drainage systems of the Noyo River and Big River, alongside family-named landmarks such as Ridgewood Ranch and Fair Oaks. These details offer a clear view of Mendocino County's transition from wilderness to an organized industrial and ranching corridor.