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1953 Map of Diablo

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Diablo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Danville and the burgeoning San Ramon Valley serve as the focal points for this 1953 survey, which documents the transition from a ranching-heavy landscape to early suburban development. The Southern Pacific railroad line anchors the valley floor, connecting the agricultural hubs of San Ramon and the San Ramon Siding. The rugged northern portion of the map is dominated by the steep terrain of Mount Diablo State Park, featuring notable landmarks like Fossil Ridge and Artist Point.

Evidence of the area's rural educational past remains visible at the Green Valley School and San Ramon School, while the presence of the Black Hawk Ranch highlights the significant landholdings of the era. The mapping of the Sherburne Hills and numerous canyons like Dan Cook Canyon shows the intricate drainage systems, including Sycamore Creek and Tassajara Creek, that defined the local topography before the post-war housing boom fully transformed the East Bay corridor.