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1954 Map of Petaluma River

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Petaluma River
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Petaluma and the surrounding marshlands of the Petaluma River are documented here in the mid-1950s, showing a landscape defined by tidewater sloughs and rail infrastructure. The Northwestern Pacific railroad corridor parallels the river, connecting riverside stations like Haystack and McNear to the urban core. To the east, the terrain transitions into the steep slopes of Burdell Mtn and the rolling hills above Lakeville.

The map reveals a complex network of waterways, including Cloudy Bend, Tule Slough, and Black John Slough, which weave around Neils Island and Hog Island. This era captures the region's agricultural and industrial character, from the Rock Quarry near the southern boundary to the Lakeville Sch serving rural residents. Notable landmarks such as the Marin County Airport and the Radio Towers KCBS sit alongside the expansive wetlands, while the Petaluma Golf and Country Club marks the growing recreational footprint on the city's outskirts.