{"product_id":"old-map-of-fort-bragg-california-by-usgs-1920-mendocino-pacific-coast","title":"Old Map of Fort Bragg, California by USGS, 1920 – Mendocino \u0026 Pacific Coast","description":"\u003cp\u003eTitled “Fort Bragg,” this United States Geological Survey topographical map was surveyed in 1920 and published with a 1928 imprint, preserving the Mendocino Coast at a moment when northern California’s timber, rail, and coastal communities were being carefully measured into the national cartographic record. At a scale of 1:62,500, it presents Fort Bragg, Mendocino, the Pacific shoreline, and the surrounding country with the sober precision for which the USGS became renowned. The 100-foot contour intervals give the landscape a sculptural clarity, tracing the rise from sea cliffs and beaches into forested ridges and inland valleys. More than a navigational aid, the map is a finely organized portrait of place: a coastal district shaped by ocean, topography, settlement, and industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe map’s subject is one of California’s most atmospheric coastal regions, where the Pacific Ocean presses against a rugged edge of headlands, coves, and river mouths. Fort Bragg appears as the principal town, historically tied to lumber milling, shipping, and rail transport, while Mendocino stands to the south as an older village whose dramatic setting made it one of the most distinctive settlements on the north coast. The cartography captures the relationship between these communities and the terrain that sustained them: roads threading along ridgelines and valleys, rail lines linking industrial centers, and contours revealing the steep, broken country beyond the shore. The result is a map that communicates not only location, but also the physical demands of movement, commerce, and daily life in early twentieth-century Mendocino County.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe US Geological Survey brought to this map the disciplined visual language that made its quadrangles indispensable to engineers, foresters, planners, prospectors, and travelers. Established in 1879, the USGS sought to systematically document the nation’s geography, geology, water resources, and public lands, and its topographical program became one of the most ambitious mapping enterprises in American history. On this sheet, landforms are rendered through closely spaced contour lines, while settlements, routes, and coastal features are arranged with clarity rather than embellishment. The beauty lies in the restraint: every line has a purpose. Elevation, access, and habitation are all legible at a glance, allowing the viewer to understand how the Mendocino Coast functioned as a lived and worked landscape in 1920.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically, the Fort Bragg region was deeply shaped by the redwood economy, and this map belongs to the era when logging, milling, and transportation networks were defining forces along the northern California coast. Fort Bragg had developed from a military outpost into a major lumber town, its growth tied to the extraction and shipment of timber from the surrounding forests. Mendocino, likewise, owed much of its nineteenth-century prosperity to redwood logging and coastal trade. Roads and railway lines on the map hint at these economic patterns, showing how human infrastructure followed valleys, negotiated slopes, and connected mills, ports, forests, and settlements. In that sense, the sheet is both a geographical record and an industrial document, capturing a landscape in transition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a historical object, “Fort Bragg” offers a compelling comparison with the modern Mendocino Coast, where tourism, conservation, and heritage have become as defining as timber once was. The map shows an earlier arrangement of roads, rail corridors, and settled places, preserving details that may have shifted or vanished over the decades. Its coastal outline, contouring, and town placement invite close study of how the region’s dramatic terrain influenced development, while its clear USGS styling gives it a timeless analytical elegance. For collectors drawn to California, coastal landscapes, or the history of American surveying, this map is especially evocative: a measured, beautifully composed view of Fort Bragg and Mendocino when the twentieth century was still young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCities, towns and places on this map\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFort Bragg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMendocino\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePacific Ocean\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoads and railway lines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForests and valleys\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical context \u0026amp; cartographic details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduced by the US Geological Survey.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical 1:62,500 topographical map of Fort Bragg, Mendocino, and the surrounding California coastal area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDated 1920, with a 1928 imprint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeatures a clear, organized USGS topographical style.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes contour lines showing elevation changes, with contour intervals set at 100 feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUses a color palette to distinguish landforms and populated areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReflects the geographical features and human settlements of the region during the early 20th century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful for understanding historical land use, development, navigation, and regional planning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking for a particular place?\u003c\/strong\u003e Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop to check before you order\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee personalised map examples\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003erare old and vintage maps\u003c\/a\u003e to discover another place, period or style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897134976,"sku":null,"price":366.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897167744,"sku":null,"price":983.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897200512,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897233280,"sku":null,"price":366.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897266048,"sku":null,"price":983.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897298816,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897331584,"sku":null,"price":590.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897364352,"sku":null,"price":1311.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897397120,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897429888,"sku":null,"price":684.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897462656,"sku":null,"price":1498.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897495424,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897528192,"sku":null,"price":777.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897560960,"sku":null,"price":2247.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897593728,"sku":null,"price":2528.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897626496,"sku":null,"price":684.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897659264,"sku":null,"price":1498.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897692032,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897724800,"sku":null,"price":824.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897757568,"sku":null,"price":2247.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x30in (60x75cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897790336,"sku":null,"price":2528.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897823104,"sku":null,"price":824.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897855872,"sku":null,"price":2247.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897888640,"sku":null,"price":2528.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760897921408,"sku":null,"price":1077.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760897954176,"sku":null,"price":3090.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760897986944,"sku":null,"price":3090.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760898019712,"sku":null,"price":1077.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760898052480,"sku":null,"price":3090.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x40in (80x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760898085248,"sku":null,"price":3090.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760898118016,"sku":null,"price":1545.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760898150784,"sku":null,"price":7162.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760898183552,"sku":null,"price":6740.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760898216320,"sku":null,"price":2341.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760898249088,"sku":null,"price":8706.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50in (100x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760898281856,"sku":null,"price":8191.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760898314624,"sku":null,"price":2856.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760898347392,"sku":null,"price":13106.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"48x60in (120x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760898380160,"sku":null,"price":12170.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58760898412928,"sku":null,"price":5289.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58760898445696,"sku":null,"price":18488.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true},{"title":"56x70in (142x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58760898478464,"sku":null,"price":17552.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_7abfea16-11af-478e-96cc-09bfc05f926f.jpg?v=1787526267","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.co\/products\/old-map-of-fort-bragg-california-by-usgs-1920-mendocino-pacific-coast","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}