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1956 Map of Point Sur

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Point Sur
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The Point Sur Lighthouse Reservation dominates this 1950s coastal survey, marking the prominent volcanic rock that reaches out into the Pacific Ocean. This isolated sentinel, complete with its lighthouse, stands as the primary navigational landmark along a coast defined by steep cliffs and the inland peaks of Sierra Hill. The mapping of The California Sea Otter Game Refuge along the shoreline highlights the region's environmental preservation efforts during the mid-20th century.

Evidence of earlier coastal activity is seen at the Bixby Landing (Site) and the Sur School (Aband), reflecting a shift from early maritime industry toward the modern era of the Coast Road. Engineering milestones of the time are recorded with the inclusion of the Bixby Bridge, which spans the deep canyon of Bixby Creek. The map provides a detailed view of the drainage patterns of the Little Sur River and the complex topography of Mescal Ridge and El Sur.