1952 Map of New Hope

About this map

The Mokelumne River and its complex network of sloughs define the agricultural landscape of this San Joaquin Valley region during the mid-20th century. At the heart of the map is the community of Thornton, situated near the Western Pacific railroad and the New Hope Sch. The terrain is divided into large agricultural tracts, including the New Hope Tract, Brack Tract, and Terminous Tract, which are protected by a extensive system of levees. Significant water management infrastructure is evident throughout the area, featuring numerous labeled siphons, pump houses, and the Delta Cross Channel. The presence of the Farm Labor Center and the New Hope Landing reflect the labor-intensive nature of the local river-and-rail based economy during this era of intensive irrigation and land reclamation.