1955 Map of Morgan Hill

About this map

Morgan Hill and the surrounding Santa Clara Valley are defined here by a transition from agricultural foundations to early suburban expansion during the mid-1950s. The Southern Pacific rail line serves as the primary spine for a string of valley settlements, including Coyote, Madrone, and Burnett. While the valley floor is crisscrossed by a grid of orchards and avenues like Bailey Ave and Orchard Ave, the eastern landscape rises into the ridges of Cañada de los Animas y San Felipe. Significant water management is evident through the presence of Anderson Lake and Chesbro Reservoir, which anchor the hydrology of the Coyote Creek and Llagas Creek watersheds. The map also captures local institutional history, noting the Wm F James Boys Ranch and several rural schoolhouses such as Encinal School and Llagas School.