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1947 Map of Point Sur

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Point Sur
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1947
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1947

About this map

Santa Lucia Range peaks dominate this coastal landscape, where the Santa Lucia mountains drop directly into the Pacific. The land is divided by historic land grants including San Jose y Sur Chiquito and El Sur, reflecting a ranching economy centered around family holdings like Cooper Ranch and Molera Ranch. Along the coast, maritime activity and early industrial transport are evidenced by Notleys Landing and Bixby Landing, while the interior shows a network of rural education with Sur School, Cooper School, and Majestic School scattered among the canyons.

Waterways like the Big Sur River and Little Sur River carve through the ridges, creating the deep valleys that define the region's geography. High points such as Pico Blanco and Mt Carmel stand as landmarks above the Pfeiffer Redwoods Big Sur State Park, which preserves the iconic timber of the southern coast. The presence of the Horn Radio Beacon at Point Sur highlights the importance of this rugged coastline to mid-century navigation.