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1959 Map of Guadalupe

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Guadalupe
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The Santa Maria Valley and the northern reaches of Vandenberg Air Force Base define this coastal California landscape during the late 1950s. Agriculture and industry converge around Guadalupe, where the Southern Pacific railroad meets a network of local roads like West Main Street. To the southeast, the industrial footprint of Betteravia is evident, featuring the Betteravia Stockyards, Betteravia Storage, and a specialized Carr Scale. The era’s reliance on rail transport is highlighted by the numerous sidings and junctions serving these facilities.

Inland from the Sand Dunes near the Santa Maria River, the terrain shifts toward the Casmalia Hills. Here, researchers can locate specialized sites such as the NTU Mine in Casmalia Canyon and various oil fields. Smaller settlements and rural institutions, including the Joint Union School and Bonita School, provide a look at the social fabric of the county before more recent developments altered the agricultural and military landscape.