1915 Map of Paulsell

About this map

The Sierra Railway of California cuts through the northern reaches of this Stanislaus County landscape, passing through the small station of Paulsell. This 1915 survey reveals a complex water management system central to the region's agricultural development, dominated by the Modesto Reservoir and the flowing Tuolumne River at the southern boundary. The presence of the Modesto Ditch and Turlock Ditch illustrates the vital infrastructure supporting the central valley's irrigation needs during this era. Rural life is anchored by the Horrs School, while the winding course of Dry Creek meanders through the hills. This map provides a clear picture of the transition from the rolling hills to the engineered waterways that would come to define the area's economic geography.