1953 Map of Petaluma

About this map

The Petaluma waterfront and its historic core serve as the anchor for this mid-century survey, where the Northwestern Pacific railroad tracks trace the eastern bank of the Petaluma River. The map captures a transitional landscape of urban density and outlying agricultural valleys, reaching into the ranch lands of Chileno Valley and Hicks Valley. Numerous country schoolhouses are documented throughout the hills, including Iowa School in the north and the Laguna Sch further south, marking the social centers of the rural landscape before post-war consolidation. The terrain is defined by prominent coastal peaks such as Antonio Mtn and Hicks Mtn, while the winding San Antonio Creek forms the natural boundary between Sonoma and Marin counties. Notable local landmarks like Cypress Hill Cemetery and the campus of St Vincents Sch provide fixed points for genealogical and historical research.