1947 Map of Metz

About this map

The Salinas Valley floor and the craggy elevations of Pinnacles National Monument dominate this mid-century survey of Monterey and San Benito Counties. The Southern Pacific railroad line runs parallel to the Salinas River, serving the small settlements of Metz and Coburn. Agriculture and ranching are clearly established across the valley and into the canyons, with several family-named landmarks such as Breen Ranch, Schmidt Ranch, and San Carlos Ranch marking the landscape. In the north, the dramatic Pinnacle Rocks and Little Pinnacles contrast sharply with the flat alluvial lands to the west. Local infrastructure is evidenced by the Metz School and an Oil Pumping Station, while the historical land division of Posa de los Ositos suggests the area's earlier heritage. The terrain transitions from the riparian corridor of the Arroyo Seco to the complex drainage systems of Topo Creek and Aqua Grande Canyon.