1952 Map of Crows Landing

About this map

Agricultural development and water management define this Central Valley landscape, centered on the historic boundaries of Rancho Del Puerto and Orestimba. The orchard-lined streets of Patterson radiate in a unique geometric pattern, with thoroughfares named after local crops like Apricot Avenue and Pomegranate Avenue. Transport and irrigation networks dominate the terrain, from the industrial presence of the Southern Pacific railroad and the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field to the massive engineering of the Calif Aqueduct and Delta-Mendota Canal. Along the meandering San Joaquin River, the landscape shifts toward riparian features like Pear Slough and the riverside Catfish Camp. The map documents a period when local infrastructure was rapidly evolving, captured through the inclusion of the Crows Landing Bridge and various pumping stations supporting the valley's intensive farming heritage.