1919 Map of New Almaden

About this map

Mine Hill and the mercury-mining district at New Almaden anchor this survey of the southern reaches of the Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County line. The map captures a transition from the developing valley floor near Los Gatos and Rinconada into the high ridges of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Evidence of early 20th-century mountain life is scattered across the topography, from isolated mountain schools like Hacienda School and Summit School to the Southern Pacific rail line threading through the canyons. This era is characterized by a mix of heavy industry and early recreational retreats, seen in the proximity of resource extraction at the mines to leisure sites like Canyons Resort and the Oaks Sanitarium. The terrain is marked by significant peaks, including Mt Umunhum and the high point of Loma Prieta.