1912 Map of Metz

About this map

The braided channels of the Salinas River dominate this Central California landscape, flanked by extensive land grants and early agricultural developments. The settlement of Greenfield appears in its early stages of growth, showing a distinct grid of streets and parcels. This area, formerly part of the Poso de los Ositos rancho, transitioned from vast grazing lands into a structured rural community at the start of the twentieth century. Further north, the tiny station of Metz sits along the rail line near the confluence of the Arroyo Seco. Large ranching operations are still prominent, such as the San Carlos Ranch and Coburn Ranch, reflecting the older system of Spanish and Mexican land holdings like San Lorenzo (Sanchez) and San Lorenzo (Soberanes). The terrain rises sharply to the east, marked by deep drainages like Miners Gulch, while the western hills are carved by Monroe Canyon.