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1955 Map of Mt. Madonna

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Mt. Madonna
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

The Santa Cruz Mountains divide the landscape of this 1955 survey, where the Santa Clara Valley meets the high ridges of Mt Madonna County Park. The burgeoning community of Morgan Hill anchors the northeast, positioned along the Southern Pacific railroad line and the historic Vascoez Tree Historical Marker. Rural life in the mid-century is evident in the presence of the Machado School and Adams Sch, while the western slopes are defined by more secluded enclaves like Redwood Retreat.

Hydrological developments are prominent, notably the Chesbro Reservoir and the network of waterways including Uvas Creek and Llagas Creek. Geologically, the map captures the significant San Andreas Rift Zone as it cuts through the southwestern corner of the quadrangle. The transition from the valley floor at Ojo De Agua De La Coche to the peaks of Lions Peak and El Toro illustrates the complex topography that shaped early transportation routes like the Hecker Pass Highway.