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1959 Map of Piedras Blancas

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Piedras Blancas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Point Piedras Blancas serves as the focal point of this coastal survey, where the historic Lighthouse stands near the Coast Guard Res on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. This 1959 field check reveals a landscape dominated by the winding path of the Cabrillo Highway as it skirts the foothills of Piedra Blanca and Pine Top Mtn. The terrain is deeply incised by coastal drainage systems, including Arroyo de la Cruz and Arroyo del Corral, which carve canyons toward the rocky shoreline.

Industrial and maritime history is evident in the presence of Cinnabar VABM 594, marking a site of quicksilver interest in the hills. Along the surf line, hazardous outcrops such as Harlech Castle Rock and Breaker Pt indicate the maritime challenges that necessitated the local light station. The map captures the interface between the open ranch land and the rugged Central Coast before the era of intensive modern development.