1927 Map of Laton

About this map

The Kings River divides the landscape of the Laguna de Tache in this 1920s survey, illustrating a complex hydraulic network of irrigation canals and natural waterways. The regional economy of the San Joaquin Valley is clearly visible through the engineered path of the Liberty Ditch, Riverside Ditch, and Peoples Ditch, which redirect water across the valley floor to support growing agricultural interests. Settlement patterns follow the steel of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe and Southern Pacific railroads, which anchor communities like Laton and Hardwick. The boundary between Fresno and Kings counties cuts across the river’s path, while rural life is marked by the presence of the Grant School and Kings River School. Local drainage and natural overflows are captured in the winding routes of Murphy Slough and Cole Slough, contrasting with the rigid grid of roads like Mt Whitney Avenue.