1953 Map of Midway

About this map

The rugged hills of the Altamont Pass area are defined by a complex network of transportation and water infrastructure as they appeared in the early 1950s and during subsequent 1980 revisions. This landscape serves as a corridor for major utility and transit systems, including both the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific railroads, which parallel one another through the terrain. The map documents the critical water systems of the region, featuring the California Aqueduct, the Delta-Mendota Canal, and the Upper Main Canal cutting across the northeastern corner. Historic industrial and settlement footprints are preserved as archaeological sites, most notably Tesla (Site), Pottery (Site), and Carnegie (Site) located along Corral Hollow Road. In the south, the expansive grounds of the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory signify the mid-century expansion of scientific research facilities into the Alameda hills.