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1953 Map of Birds Landing

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Birds Landing
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Montezuma Hills define the southern half of this landscape, where the elevation rises significantly above the northern lowlands. This mid-century survey reveals a territory characterized by extensive ranching operations and water management, visible through a network of windmills and features like The Big Ditch. Small, specialized settlements and hubs serve the agricultural community, most notably Birds Landing and Lucol at the base of the hills, while Rio Vista Junction sits along the northern edge.

Transport and education for these rural families are centered on the Sacramento Northern railroad line and the Willow Spr School. A clear pattern of private land ownership is evident through numerous named holdings such as Hamilton Ranch, Thompson Ranch, and Hierlihy Ranch, each marked with specific water infrastructure like a Water Tank or Reservoir. The presence of Hopkins Ravine and various unnamed hollows shows the natural drainage patterns that guided the placement of these early homesteads.