1955 Map of Gilroy

About this map

Gilroy and the surrounding Santa Clara Valley landscape are documented here during a period of significant transition, reflecting both its deep agricultural roots and the encroachment of modern infrastructure. The Southern Pacific railroad corridor serves as the central spine for the valley settlements, linking the town centers of San Martin, Rucker, and the original settlement at Old Gilroy. To the east, the waters of Coyote Lake are framed by the steep elevations of Timber Ridge and Dexter Ridge, while the valley floor is defined by the branching courses of Llagas Creek and Uvas Creek. The inclusion of various institutional landmarks, such as St Marys Sch, South Valley Hospital, and the South County Airport, highlights the growing civic footprint of the mid-20th century. This survey, which includes updates into the late 1980s, captures the evolution of family-named roads and rural districts like San Ysidro and Las Animas before the dense suburban expansion of later decades.