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1956 Map of Yosemite

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Yosemite
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

The granite landmarks of Yosemite National Park dominate this mid-century survey, from the sheer face of El Capitan to the iconic profile of Half Dome. Along the valley floor, the map details the established visitor infrastructure of the 1950s, including Yosemite Village, Curry Village, and the Happy Isles Nature Center. The Merced River serves as the primary drainage for a landscape punctuated by legendary cataracts like Bridalveil Fall, Nevada Fall, and Vernal Fall.

Further south, the map traces the Wawona Road through the high country toward the Wawona settlement and the Big Tree Giant Sequoias. The inclusion of the Badger Pass Ski Area and various backcountry camps, such as Bridalveil Campground and Stovepipe Campground, illustrates the area's development into a premier recreation destination. Geologic features like Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Spires, and the Three Brothers are precisely charted alongside early wilderness trails including the Pohono Trail.