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1947 Map of Monterey

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Monterey
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Monterey and the surrounding coastline serve as the centerpiece of this 1947 survey, which captures the region's mid-century transition from a historic mission and military outpost to a renowned residential and recreational destination. The peninsula is defined by the winding Seventeen Mile Drive, tracing a shoreline of jagged points like Point Joe and Cypress Point. Urban development is concentrated in the grids of Pacific Grove and New Monterey, while the Presidio of Monterey maintains its strategic position overlooking the bay.

Further south, Carmel By The Sea remains distinct from the more industrial port areas, anchored by the historic Carmel Mission and the nearby Mission Ranch. The map provides exceptional detail of the Point Lobos State Reserve, documenting its intricate coves such as Whalers Cove and Bluefish Cove before modern environmental management became standardized. Infrastructure of the era, including the Southern Pacific rail line and the Lighthouse at Point Pinos, underscores the maritime and rail-dependent economy of the California coast.