1953 Map of Altamont

About this map

Las Positas Valley serves as the focal point for this mid-century survey, showcasing the early expansion of Livermore and the massive footprint of the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory University of California. The map details a landscape transitioning from an agricultural economy, evidenced by a Winery and rural schools like Green Sch and Summit Sch, toward modern infrastructure. Notable water management systems including the South Bay Aqueduct and Patterson Reservoir are shown carving through the terrain near Ulmar. Transport routes are anchored by the parallel tracks of the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific railroads, which negotiate the climb toward Altamont Pass. This documentation is particularly valuable for tracing the growth of research facilities alongside traditional ranching and small settlements like Trevarno before the full suburbanization of the eastern San Francisco Bay area.