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1983 Map of Monterey

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of Monterey
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

The Salinas River valley and the dramatic coastline of Monterey Bay dominate this 1983 survey, showcasing the region's complex mix of military, agricultural, and preserved lands. The expansive Fort Ord Military Reservation sits prominently between Marina and the city of Salinas, while the historic Mission San Juan Bautista serves as a landmark for the inland settlement of San Juan Bautista. The landscape is a study in diverse geography, from the marshes of Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing to the high peaks of the Gabilan Range.

Tracing the rail infrastructure reveals the Southern Pacific Railroad winding through the valley, supporting agricultural centers like Castroville and the company town of Spreckels. This edition captures a period of significant land conservation, marking numerous state parks and the Pinnacles National Monument, as well as the coastal beauty of the Point Lobos State Reserve. Large Spanish-era land grants, such as Rancho Bolsa del Pajaro and Rancho El Alisal, remain identified by their historic boundaries, providing a bridge between California's colonial past and its late twentieth-century development.