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1960 Map of Atwater

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Atwater
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The sprawling operations of Castle Air Force Base anchor the landscape north of Atwater, reflecting the mid-century military presence in the San Joaquin Valley. This 1960s survey, with 1970s revisions, illustrates the established agricultural and transportation corridors of Merced County. Two major railroads, the Southern Pacific and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe, run parallel through the area, supporting the small communities of Buhach and Fluhr.

A complex network of irrigation canals and natural waterways like Bear Creek and Black Rascal Creek sustain the surrounding farmland. Civic life is well-documented through numerous rural schools, including Bellevue Sch and the McSwain School, while the developing residential areas of Castle Gardens point to post-war growth. On the southeastern edge, the Merced Municipal Airport sits near the County Honor Farm, marking the transition into the regional hub of Merced.