1947 Map of Gravelly Ford

About this map

The San Joaquin River snakes through the center of this Central Valley landscape, defining the boundary between Madera Co and Fresno Co. Based on a 1922 survey with culture revised in 1946, the map documents a transition from pastoral ranching toward more intensive agriculture. The northern terrain is marked by the Cottonwood Cow Camp near Cottonwood Creek and the historical crossing at Gravelly Ford. To the south and east, a burgeoning irrigation network including the Aliso Canal and Enterprise Canal supports a growing rural population. The emergence of community infrastructure is visible at the Sunset Sch, while numerous windmills dot the sections between avenues like Ripperdan Avenue and Herndon Avenue, illustrating the reliance on groundwater before the full expansion of the regional water projects.