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1917 Map of Morgan Hill

Name: 1917 Topographic Map of Morgan Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1947
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1947

About this map

The Santa Clara Valley’s agricultural and transportation backbone is clearly defined in this early 20th-century survey. The parallel paths of the Southern Pacific railroad and the State Highway dictate the growth of towns like Morgan Hill, San Martin, and Gilroy. Large Spanish land grant legacies are preserved in labels like Ojo de Agua de la Coche and San Francisco de las Llagas, reflecting the transition from ranchos to subdivided valley floor orchards and vineyards.

In the surrounding foothills, the landscape shifts toward recreation and industry. Water management for the valley is anchored by the Gilroy Waterworks Dam, while the canyons house secluded landmarks like the Redwood Retreat and Madrone Soda Springs. Local school districts, including Adams School and Uvas School, are scattered through the hills, marking the early social centers for rural families working the land near Llagas Creek and Uvas Creek.