1901 Manuscript Map of Canyon Creek Mining District, Trinity County, California

This is a 1901 manuscript plat map of mining claims along the Canyon (or Cañon) Creek in Trinity County, California, prepared by surveyors Henry L. Lowden and Thomas J. Montgomery.

A Closer Look

The map depicts a portion of Trinity County to the west of Lake Trinity (a more recent reservoir) along the Canyon (or Cañon) Creek. The area, now part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, was once home to several mines and mining towns, including the now-ghost towns of Cañon City and Dedrick. More specifically, the map covers mining claims along the Little East Fork of Canyon Creek, running up to a mountain ridge ('Top of Mountain'), called on modern maps, a bit further south, as Weaver Bally, perhaps related to the name Bailey used here. Claims are outlined and named, often with colorful names like 'Eureka' and 'Hurricane.' Mining tunnels, shafts, facilities, areas of discovery of minerals, mountain ridges, trails, waterways, and other features are traced throughout.

Following the initial gold rush of the 1850s in this area, which was based on more easily accessible placers, the late 19th century saw something of a second gold (and other mineral) rush based on deep-shaft mining. In a dramatic demonstration of the ephemeral nature of mining communities of the era, the entire town of Cañon City packed up and moved further up the Cañon Creek to Dedrick in 1891 after new gold deposits were discovered there.

Publication History and Census

This map is based on surveys made by Henry Larkin Lowden in 1890 - 1892, with additional work by Thomas J. Montgomery in 1901. As a manuscript map, it is an entirely unique work.