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1956 Map of Harris Ranch

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Harris Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Industrial agriculture defines the landscape of central Fresno County in the mid-1950s, where a grid of roads named after classic automobiles—such as Cadillac Avenue, Packard Avenue, and Stutz Avenue—organizes the San Joaquin Valley floor. This area is characterized by large-scale farming operations and essential infrastructure, including a prominent Landing Strip and multiple Labor Camps scattered between the fields.

Key landmarks such as Harris Ranch and the Thomas Ranch sit alongside utility features like a Cotton Gin, Water Tank, and Grain Tank, illustrating the region's specialized economy. An abandoned Reservoir suggests shifting water management patterns as Harvey O. Banks directed the state’s water resources during this era. The map provides a detailed view of family-named holdings like Benson-Davis Ranch and Sandell Farms during a peak period of California's agricultural expansion.