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1953 Map of Clayton

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Clayton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

Mount Diablo and its surrounding peaks dominate this mid-century survey of Contra Costa County, showing the transition from the rugged highlands of the State Game Refuge to the developing plains of Clayton Valley. The historic town of Clayton serves as a central hub, while the ghost of the coal mining era is preserved at Nortonville (Site) in the northeast. This landscape reflects a mix of preservation and early post-war expansion, with landmarks like Muir Camp and Laurel Dell Camp marking the recreational use of Mt Diablo State Park.

Industrial and agricultural heritage is evident near Cowell, where both the Cowell School and Cowell Cemetery are documented alongside local quarries. To the north, the footprint of the Concord Naval Weapons Station occupies a significant portion of the terrain, while the Mt Diablo Mine highlights the area's geological utility. The map traces a complex network of canyons and ridges, including Perkins Canyon and Keller Ridge, illustrating the formidable topography that shaped early settlement patterns before modern suburban sprawl moved into the valleys.