1949 Map of Bradley

About this map

The Salinas River valley in the late 1940s is defined by the intersection of vital transport corridors and significant military infrastructure. The village of Bradley serves as a central point along the Southern Pacific railroad line, which follows the river's path northward through the canyon lands. A large portion of the landscape is dominated by the Camp Roberts Military Reservation, featuring an extensive network of training grounds and a Rifle Range situated near the confluence of the Nacimiento River and the Salinas. The map captures the transition from agriculture and ranching, evidenced by the Nacimiento Ranch and scattered windmills, to the formal military zoning that would define the area's mid-century character. Notable topographical features include the broad Hames Valley and several deeply incised drainages like Buttle Canyon and Oro Fino Canyon that feed into the river systems.