1955 Map of Isabel Valley

About this map

The Lick Observatory (University of California) borders the western edge of this mid-century landscape, overlooking a series of complex ridges and deep canyons in the Diablo Range. The interior of the sheet is dominated by the Los Huecos and Isabel Valley regions, where the Isabel Reservoir and a remote Landing Strip represent the sparse infrastructure of this cattle-ranching and research area. Steep terrain is defined by prominent peaks like Mt Isabel, Mt Helen, and Sugarloaf Mtn, with a network of seasonal drainages including Arroyo Antonio and Coyote Creek cutting through the hills. This 1955 survey provides a clear view of the rural Santa Clara County backcountry before modern development, marking isolated features such as Indian Springs and the small settlement at Grizzly Flats.