1955 Map of Gilroy

About this map

Gilroy and its surrounding agricultural valleys are detailed in this mid-century topographic record, showing the transition from rural orchards to expanding suburban infrastructure. The corridor of the Southern Pacific railroad remains a primary artery, connecting settlements like San Martin and Rucker through a landscape defined by historic land grants such as San Francisco de las Llagas and San Ysidro. Water management is a prominent theme, from the broad Coyote Lake reservoir in the eastern hills to the network of irrigation sloughs like Miller Slough and the winding Llagas Creek. Local community life is evidenced by St Marys Sch and the Drive-in Theater on the edge of town, while the appearance of the South County Airport and new roadway alignments in the updated purple layers signal the post-war growth of the Santa Clara Valley.