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1961 Map of Merced

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Merced
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The city of Merced serves as a dense residential and administrative hub in the early 1960s, its urban core defined by landmarks like the Courthouse, City Hall, and the Post Office. This era shows a community heavily invested in its local institutions, evidenced by a high density of neighborhood schools such as Burbank School, Muir School, and Tenaya Junior High School. The local economy and transport are anchored by the dual lines of the Southern Pacific and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroads, which parallel major thoroughfares like Santa Fe Drive.

Beyond the city limits, the landscape transitions into a managed agricultural plain fed by an intricate system of laterals and canals. Notable water features include Bear Creek, Black Rascal Creek, and Fahrens Creek, which meander toward the city. To the north, Yosemite Lake provides a primary recreational space, while the surrounding rural areas are dotted with family-named holdings like Bellevue Ranch and specialized infrastructure such as the Wilson Substation and several small dams including Miles Creek Dam.