This is a mid-20th-century gold placer map of Oregon, created by Walter J. Robertson of Stockton, California, as part of a larger series mapping placer deposits across the western United States. The map is a simplified blue-line print, showing known placer gold deposits, waterways, and historical mining regions throughout the state.
The text on the map highlights several key placer mining areas, particularly in southwestern Oregon and the eastern part of the state, which historically produced significant gold during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Rogue River, Umpqua River, and John Day River basins are particularly emphasized, as they were among the richest placer gold-bearing regions in Oregon. The dotted areas represent placer mining zones, and additional handwritten-style notes describe the potential for prospecting in both historic and lesser-known deposits.
The map also references other available gold placer maps, including those for Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, indicating that it was part of a commercial effort to provide prospectors with accessible geological information.
Robertson’s maps were geared toward independent gold prospectors, capitalizing on the continued interest in recreational and small-scale placer mining during the mid-20th century. The promotional text at the bottom encourages prospectors to read "Gold Panning for Profit," a book likely sold in conjunction with this map. The note about non-seasonal placer deposits suggests that the map was intended for year-round prospecting, highlighting areas where gold could be found outside of traditional river-based locations.