Loading map...

1955 Map of Big Basin

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Big Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Big Basin Redwoods State Park and the high ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains define this landscape during the mid-1950s. The area is characterized by dense coastal forest, intersected by a network of creeks including Pescadero Creek and Waddell Creek. Significant infrastructure for recreation and forestry is evident, from the Park Headquarters (Big Basin PO) to the China Grade road system. Along the eastern edge, the San Lorenzo River valley shows a cluster of mid-century vacation and residential settlements like Riverside Grove, Wildwood, and Redwood Grove.

A notable mix of land use is visible, where the preservation of Portola State Park exists alongside active industry, such as a Sawmill near Waterman Creek and a Quarry in the southeast. The map also captures specific local landmarks of the era, including the Hilton Airport and a Drive-in Theater near Hare Creek, reflecting the transition of these wooded canyons into more accessible retreats for the growing population of the Central Coast.