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1953 Map of Petaluma

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Petaluma
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The city of Petaluma serves as the focal point of this mid-century survey, centered around its bustling rail and water transport corridors. The Northwestern Pacific railroad tracks parallel the winding path of Petaluma Creek, illustrating the town's historical role as a shipping hub for agricultural goods. The map shows the dense urban grid transitioning into expansive land grants and valleys, including San Antonio Valley and Hicks Valley.

A network of rural educational institutions, such as Iowa School, Wilson Sch, and Lincoln Sch, are scattered across the landscape, marking the centers of outlying farming communities. The terrain is defined by significant elevations like Antonio Mtn and Hicks Mtn, while the border between Sonoma and Marin counties follows the meander of San Antonio Creek. This document captures the region just before significant post-war suburban expansion altered the balance between its historic town center and the surrounding pastoral valleys.