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1961 Map of Cholame Valley

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Cholame Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Cholame Valley is defined by a series of alluvial fans and distinct canyons along the border of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Kings Counties. Centered on the Cholame Ranch, the map reveals a landscape primarily dedicated to ranching and dry-land farming, with scattered grain fields and a remote airstrip serving the valley floor. The water security of this arid region is meticulously documented through numerous named sources such as Kerr Spring, Willow Spring, and Little Tiger Spring, alongside several wells and the seasonal flow of Cholame Creek.

High points like Gold Hill and Vabm 2442 overlook a complex topography of named flats and canyons, including Turkey Flat and California Flats. The presence of several pipelines and a gaging station indicates the early management of regional resources. This 1961 survey captures the area’s infrastructure before significant modern development, preserving the locations of specific ranch landmarks and benchmarks like BM 1271.