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1953 Map of Meridian

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Meridian
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Union Pacific Railroad cuts through the growing agricultural landscape of central Ada County, defining the early spatial layout of Meridian. This mid-century survey reveals a highly engineered environment where natural waterways like Indian Creek and Tenmile Creek are augmented by a dense lattice of irrigation canals, including the Ridenbaugh Canal and the New York Canal. These waterways supported the surrounding rural communities, visible here through local landmarks such as the Roosevelt School, High Line School, and the outlying settlement of Sonna.

Beyond the residential core of Meridian, the map documents the infrastructure of a productive rural economy. From the Fairgrounds near the town center to the numerous named irrigation laterals like the Safford Settlers Lateral Canal and Blue Valley Lateral, the landscape shows a transition from wild high desert to managed farmland. Local family and place names are preserved through features like Purdam Gulch and the Meridian Cemetery, offering valuable data for genealogical research in the Treasure Valley.