1973 Map of Gilroy

About this map

The Gilroy urban footprint expanded significantly by the early 1970s, as shown by purple photorevised updates extending south toward Old Gilroy. This agricultural and residential hub is defined by its position along the Southern Pacific railroad and the intricate drainage of Llagas Creek and its branches. To the east, the steep terrain of Larios Ridge and Sheep Ridge drops down to the expansive Coyote Lake, where the Coyote Creek valley contrasts with the grid-patterned orchards and fields of the valley floor. The map document traces a transition in land use, showing schools like St Marys Sch and Brownell Sch alongside rural landmarks like the Airway Beacon near Sun Martin. Infrastructure such as the Landing Strip and various water works highlight the region's mid-century development as it evolved from a strictly agrarian landscape into a growing suburban corridor.