1952 Map of Bouldin Island

About this map

Franks Tract and the surrounding reclaimed delta lands are captured here in a period of complex water management and island agriculture. The map illustrates a labyrinth of sloughs, cuts, and reaches that defined transport and drainage in the early 1950s, centered on the Stockton Deep Water Channel. This major maritime artery connects the San Joaquin River through segments like Venice Reach and Mandeville Cut. Unlike more industrial riverfronts, this area is characterized by scattered rural infrastructure, including the Venice-Mandeville School and numerous pump houses that maintained the dry land of Bouldin Island and Venice Island below the surrounding water levels. The presence of numerous named points such as Prisoners Point and Webb Point highlights the navigational importance of these waterways for the local river-and-rail economy.