1939 Map of Morgan Hill

About this map

The Santa Clara Valley stretches through this 1939 survey, capturing a landscape of agriculture and burgeoning settlements before the post-war suburban shift. The Southern Pacific rail line and U.S. 101 serve as the primary north-south spine, connecting towns like Morgan Hill and Gilroy with smaller stops such as Madrone and Coyote. In the eastern hills, the newly constructed Coyote Reservoir dominates the drainage of Coyote Creek, while the western edge is defined by the steep slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the landmark peak of Mt Madonna. Numerous rural schoolhouses, including Encinal School and Machado School, are scattered across the valley floor, documenting the decentralized community structure of the era. The presence of Old Gilroy near the map's southern edge highlights the historical shift in the region's urban center over time.