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1959 Map of Briones Valley

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Briones Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

San Pablo Reservoir and the surrounding ridgelines dominate this late-1950s survey of the East Bay interior. The landscape reflects a period of significant suburban expansion and water infrastructure development, marked by the presence of the Mokelumne Aqueduct and the growth of Orinda Village and Lafayette. The survey details the complex topography of the Briones Hills and Sobrante Ridge, where small rural settlements like Castro and Abrott remain distinct from the emerging residential clusters.

Local institutions are well-documented, including the Sleepy Hollow School, Briones Valley School, and the Santa Maria School. To the west, the map covers the high points of the East Bay hills such as Vollmer Pk and Grizzly Pk, transitioning into the preserved lands of Charles Lee Tilden Regional Park. Transport networks are led by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad corridor in the north, while the southern portion highlights the early layout of Happy Valley and the Lafayette Reservoir.