1948 Map of Natividad

About this map

The Gabilan Range rises sharply above the fertile floor of the Salinas Valley on this post-war military-to-civilian conversion map. The landscape is a mix of agricultural tracts and military decommissioning, notably featuring the Salinas Air Base (Abandoned) and the U S Army Radio Station (Abandoned). Historically significant land grants are clearly delineated, including La Natividad, Sausal, and El Alisal (Bernal), reflecting the region's Spanish and Mexican heritage. Local commerce and education are represented by the presence of Hartnell College and the Salinas Municipal Airport, while the Southern Pacific railroad and the Old Stage Road suggest the layers of transportation history connecting the settlements of Natividad and Alisal. Water drainage follows the natural contours through Gabilan Creek and Alisal Slough, supporting the intensive valley floor land use.