1963 Map of Bonita Ranch

About this map

Bonita Ranch and the surrounding Madera County agricultural landscape are defined by a meticulous grid of water management and orchard development. The Fresno River and Dry Creek meander through the northern sections, while human-engineered infrastructure like the Gravelly Ford Canal and Airport Ditch sustain the valley floor. This mid-century survey reveals a transition from natural watercourses to an intensive irrigation network, evident in the numerous unnamed wells and irrigation channels that dot the property lines. Local life is centered on family-named nodes such as El Peco Ranch and the small settlement of Bonita, supported by community landmarks including Howard Sch and New Hope Hope Cem. To the south, Cottonwood Creek marks the boundary of this productive agricultural zone, where a private Landing Strip and various storage bins indicate the commercial scale of the era's ranching operations.