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1957 Map of Greenfield

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Greenfield
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Pinnacles National Monument dominates the rugged northern landscape of this mid-century survey, showcasing iconic landmarks such as North Chalone Peak, The Fingers, and Mt Defiance. The eastern half of the map is defined by family-named holdings and ranching lands, including Sands Ranch, Breen Ranch, and Mathews Ranch, which are tucked between the Dry Lake Valley and the steep ridges of the Gabilan Range. These cattle-country features contrast sharply with the industrial and agricultural activity along the Salinas River corridor to the west.

The Southern Pacific railroad serves as the vital transport spine for the valley settlements of Greenfield, Metz, and Coburn. The geography of the Salinas Valley floor is meticulously detailed, showing the Arroyo Seco fan and the critical Los Ositos Substation. Moving into the eastern foothills near Bitterwater, the map identifies resource extraction sites like the Quarries near Bitterwater Creek, illustrating the remote mining and ranching economy that defined rural Monterey and San Benito Counties during this era.