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1955 Map of Monocline Ridge

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Monocline Ridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Monocline Ridge dominates the landscape of western Fresno County in this mid-1950s survey, marking a stark transition from the complex topographic relief of the Coast Ranges to the geometric precision of Central Valley agriculture. The rugged southern half of the map is defined by deep incisions like Tumey Gulch and high points such as Ciervo Hill, where early resource extraction is evidenced by a Prospect and several water tanks. This upland terrain drops away toward the northeast, giving way to the organized grid of the San Joaquin Valley floor.

The lowland infrastructure centers on a network of named thoroughfares including Manning Avenue and South Avenue, which support local agricultural operations like the Freeman Ranch. The presence of the Chaney Pumping Station and several wells underscores the critical importance of water management in this arid region. This era of development is further captured by the inclusion of a remote Landing Strip and a Reservoir, illustrating the intersection of modern transport and irrigation that transformed the California interior.