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1949 Map of Cape San Martin

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Cape San Martin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Hunter Liggett Military Reservation dominates this 1949 coastal landscape, where the steep slopes of the Santa Lucia Range drop sharply into the Pacific Ocean. This survey captures the sparse settlement patterns of the Monterey coast just after the war, centered on small outposts like Gorda and Plaskett. The dominance of federal land is evident, with the Los Padres National Forest and military boundaries dictating the lack of development along the rugged shoreline.

Local educational and navigational landmarks include the Pacific Valley Sch and prominent coastal features like Plaskett Rock and Bird Rock. The intricate drainage system of the range is mapped in detail, from Kirk Creek in the north to Willow Creek and San Carpoforo Creek in the south, illustrating the natural barriers that isolated these coastal communities before modern infrastructure fully bridged the gaps between the mountains and the sea.