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1950s Maps of San Luis Obispo County, California

Explore 50 historic maps of San Luis Obispo County from the 1950s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1950s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how San Luis Obispo County's landscape evolved across the 1950s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1950s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring San Luis Obispo County's history through authentic maps from the 1950s. This is your window into the past.

San Luis Obispo County, CA maps

(50)
  1. 1950 Map of Maricopa, 1965 Print
    1950 Map of Maricopa, 1965 Print
    1950 Maricopa
    1965 Print · USGS
    Maricopa and the southern San Joaquin Valley are captured here during the 1950s oil boom. Researchers can trace the industrial footprint of Oil Wells and the Norwalk Oil Refinery alongside small settlements like Spellacy and Hazelton.
    2 unique versions available
  4. 1950 Map of Fellows, 1968 Print
    1950 Map of Fellows, 1968 Print
    1950 Fellows
    1968 Print · USGS
    Mid-century petroleum production in the San Joaquin Valley is centered here around Fellows and the sprawling Naval Petroleum Reserve No 2. Genealogists and industrial historians can locate the Midway Oil Camp, Associated Oil Camp, and the Midway School.
    4 unique versions available
  7. 1950 Map of Reward, 1969 Print
    1950 Map of Reward, 1969 Print
    1950 Reward
    1969 Print · USGS
    Kern County industrial and ranching life is captured at mid-century as the oil fields of the west side were in full operation. Genealogists and historians can trace the footprint of Reward, the Olig School, and the extensive Southern Pacific rail and oil infrastructure.
    4 unique versions available
  10. 1951 Map of Reward
    1951 Map of Reward
    1951 Reward
    1951 Print · USGS
    Kern County's oil boom era is on full display in this mid-century survey of the valley foothills. Researchers can trace the industrial footprint of Standard Oil Co and Union Oil near the vanished Olig School and the settlement of Reward.
  13. 1951 Map of Fellows
    1951 Map of Fellows
    1951 Fellows
    1951 Print · USGS
    The oil-rich landscape of Kern County is captured here in the early fifties during the peak of federal energy extraction. Genealogists and historians can trace the specific layouts of Fellows, Midway Oil Camp, and the historic Midway School.
  16. 1951 Map of Maricopa
    1951 Map of Maricopa
    1951 Maricopa
    1951 Print · USGS
    The oil-rich landscape of southern Kern County is captured here in the early 1950s, showing the height of local petroleum production. Researchers can trace the industrial footprint of the Norwalk Oil Refinery and find old settlements like Spellacy and Hazelton.
  19. 1951 Map of Port San Luis, 1953 Print
    1951 Map of Port San Luis, 1953 Print
    1951 Port San Luis
    1953 Print · USGS
    The Central Coast of California appears here in the early fifties, before modern industrial development reshaped its canyons. Researchers can trace historical landmarks like the Point San Luis Lighthouse, the landing at Port San Luis, and the drainage of Diablo Canyon.
    3 unique versions available
  22. 1951 Map of Cayucos, 1953 Print
    1951 Map of Cayucos, 1953 Print
    1951 Cayucos
    1953 Print · USGS
    The Central Coast in the early fifties shows a landscape of fishing villages and emerging coastal suburbs. Trace family history at the Quintana Cem or locate former schoolhouses like Simeon Sch and Sunnyside Sch.
    5 unique versions available
  25. 1952 Map of Caliente Mountain
    1952 Map of Caliente Mountain
    1952 Caliente Mountain
    1952 Print · USGS
    The high desert of the Carrizo Plain and the steep Caliente Range are captured here in the early fifties. Researchers can locate remote family operations like Goodwin Ranch, find the Painted Rock landmark, and trace the Cuyama River canyon.
  28. 1952 Map of Arroyo Grande, 1953 Print
    1952 Map of Arroyo Grande, 1953 Print
    1952 Arroyo Grande
    1953 Print · USGS
    The Central Coast comes alive in the early fifties as coastal tourism and inland agriculture thrive side-by-side. Genealogists and historians can trace the Southern Pacific RR corridor through Grover City, locate family landmarks like Branch School, or study the Sand Dunes and lakes around Oceano.
    3 unique versions available
  31. 1952 Map of La Panza, 1953 Print
    1952 Map of La Panza, 1953 Print
    1952 La Panza
    1953 Print · USGS
    The high desert of eastern San Luis Obispo County is shown here in the early fifties during a period of ranching and early oil exploration. Genealogists and historians can locate remote outposts like La Panza Ranch, the Queen Bee Camp Ground, and topographic landmarks like Syncline Hill.
    3 unique versions available
  34. 1952 Map of Branch Mountain, 1953 Print
    1952 Map of Branch Mountain, 1953 Print
    1952 Branch Mountain
    1953 Print · USGS
    The rugged interior of the Central Coast is seen here during the early fifties, characterized by remote cattle operations and mountain trails. Genealogists and local historians can trace legacy holdings like Carrisa Ranch, Gifford Ranch, and the Gline Ranch Corral.
    3 unique versions available
  37. 1952 Map of Nipomo, 1953 Print
    1952 Map of Nipomo, 1953 Print
    1952 Nipomo
    1953 Print · USGS
    Coastal ridges and interior ranchlands define this mid-century look at the southern San Luis Obispo back country. Local historians can trace old family holdings like Tar Springs Ranch and Porter Ranch or locate the Santa Manuela School.
    3 unique versions available
  40. 1952 Map of Pozo, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Pozo, 1954 Print
    1952 Pozo
    1954 Print · USGS
    San Luis Obispo County ranching and mountain country are frozen in time here during the early fifties. Local historians can trace the network of old roads and mines like the Red Eagle Mine or locate early centers of community like Pozo and the Pozo Sch.
    3 unique versions available
  43. 1952 Map of San Luis Obispo, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of San Luis Obispo, 1954 Print
    1952 San Luis Obispo
    1954 Print · USGS
    San Luis Obispo County in the early fifties shows a landscape of burgeoning colleges, military grounds, and historic mines. Trace the Southern Pacific rail line as it winds past Santa Margarita and the Pick and Shovel Mine.
    2 unique versions available
  46. 1954 Map of Wells Ranch, 1957 Print
    1954 Map of Wells Ranch, 1957 Print
    1954 Wells Ranch
    1957 Print · USGS
    In the mid-fifties, the high desert terrain of San Luis Obispo County was a world of remote cattle operations and stark geology. Researchers can trace historic ranch footprints like Seaback Ranch, locate The Old Adobe, and map water sources like Wells Spring.
    3 unique versions available
  49. 1954 Map of Panorama Hills, 1957 Print
    1954 Map of Panorama Hills, 1957 Print
    1954 Panorama Hills
    1957 Print · USGS
    San Luis Obispo and Kern counties meet along this dramatic fault-line landscape in the mid-1950s. Researchers can trace early geological and industrial activity near Crocker Flat, the prominent Elkhorn Scarp, and several Oil Wells (Aban'd).
    3 unique versions available
  52. 1954 Map of Elkhorn Hills, 1957 Print
    1954 Map of Elkhorn Hills, 1957 Print
    1954 Elkhorn Hills
    1957 Print · USGS
    The high desert border of San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties comes into focus during the mid-1950s, revealing a landscape of remote cattle ranches and early oil exploration. Genealogists and historians can trace family holdings like AF Traver Ranch and Hanline Ranch while following the dramatic line of the Elkhorn Scarp.
    6 unique versions available
  55. 1955 Map of Los Angeles
    1955 Map of Los Angeles
    1955 Los Angeles
    1955 Print · USGS
    The mid-century transformation of Southern California comes into focus as the urban sprawl of Los Angeles meets the wilderness of the Santa Monica Mountains. Researchers can trace the development of post-war suburbs alongside historic landmarks like the Santa Barbara Lighthouse and early industrial sites such as the Good Luck Mine.
  58. 1955 Map of Bakersfield
    1955 Map of Bakersfield
    1955 Bakersfield
    1955 Print · USGS
    The southern San Joaquin Valley in the mid-fifties shows an era of massive oil production and industrial irrigation. Trace family roots in Allensworth, the oil fields of Oildale, or the shorelines of Tulare Lake and Buena Vista Lake.
  61. 1956 Map of Bakersfield
    1956 Map of Bakersfield
    1956 Bakersfield
    1956 Print · USGS
    The southern San Joaquin Valley and High Sierra come alive in the mid-fifties, showing the region's complex agricultural and rail networks. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots in towns like Bakersfield, Taft, and Delano, or locate early infrastructure along the Sunset Railway.
  64. 1956 Map of San Luis Obispo, 1963 Print
    1956 Map of San Luis Obispo, 1963 Print
    1956 San Luis Obispo
    1963 Print · USGS
    Central California coastal and valley life unfolds in the mid-fifties, from the shoreline of Pismo Beach to the arid Carrizo Plain. Trace early travel routes along the Southern Pacific RR or locate family sites near the Templeton Cemetery and Paso Robles County Cemetery.
    5 unique versions available
  67. 1956 Map of Santa Maria, 1973 Print
    1956 Map of Santa Maria, 1973 Print
    1956 Santa Maria
    1973 Print · USGS
    The Central Coast landscape at the height of the Cold War reveals a mix of aerospace expansion and historic ranching towns. Trace the early footprint of Vandenberg AFB or locate coastal rail stops like Surf and the mission site at La Purisima Mission State Park.
    2 unique versions available
  70. 1957 Map of San Luis Obispo
    1957 Map of San Luis Obispo
    1957 San Luis Obispo
    1957 Print · USGS
    Coastal California in the late fifties is defined by the steep Santa Lucia Range and the rail-connected hub of San Luis Obispo. Genealogists and researchers can trace rural life via Union School, the Southern Pacific line, and old sites like the Polar Star Mine.
  73. 1957 Map of Santa Maria
    1957 Map of Santa Maria
    1957 Santa Maria
    1957 Print · USGS
    Coastal Santa Barbara County is captured here during the mid-fifties, showing a landscape defined by military installations and petroleum production. Researchers can trace the Southern Pacific rail line and locate rural landmarks like Honda School, Betteravia, and the John Manville Plant.
Showing maps 1-25 of 50

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Frequently asked questions

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