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1954 Map of Point Reyes

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Point Reyes
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Tomales Bay bisects this coastal landscape, separating the rugged peninsula of the Point Reyes headlands from the inland ridges of Sonoma and Marin counties. The map captures a mid-century coastal economy where established ranching operations like Upper Pierce Ranch, Home Ranch, and Bear Valley Ranch define the interior, while the shoreline is dotted with historic landings and maritime infrastructure. Scientific and military presence is evident at the College of Pacific Marine Sta of Biological Science near Dillon Beach and the Coast Guard Res on the western point.

Industrial and social history is grounded in specific sites such as the Blacksmith Shop (Site) and the Schooner Ldg (Site), indicating the evolution of local commerce. Settlement patterns follow the narrow corridor of Tomales Bay and the winding Sir Francis Drake Highway, connecting small communities like Inverness, Marshall, and Point Reyes Station. The landscape remains largely defined by its natural hydrology, from the vast Drakes Estero to the freshwater chain of Wildcat Lake and Bass Lake along the southern coast.