1949 Map of Hames Valley

About this map

The Salinas River corridor defines the eastern edge of this landscape, serving as the primary artery for both transportation and industry in southern Monterey County. Along its western banks, the San Bernardo Oil Field represents a significant layer of the local resource economy, situated near the path of the Southern Pacific railroad. The terrain transitions from the river valley into a complex system of drainage and relief, including the broad reaches of Hames Valley and the winding Hames Creek. To the west, the land becomes more broken, characterized by numerous canyons and seasonal water sources like Los Lobos Spr. This 1949 survey, with subsequent revisions from the 1970s, captures the intersection of industrial extraction and the traditional grazing lands of Swain Valley and McCoy Canyon, providing a clear view of the rural infrastructure before modern expansions.