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1912 Map of Salinas

Name: 1912 Topographic Map of Salinas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1912
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1912

About this map

The agrarian expansion of the Monterey region is captured here shortly after the turn of the century, centered on the growing hub of Salinas. The landscape is a patchwork of historic land grants, such as Llano de Buena Vista and El Alisal (Hartnell), reflecting the area's transition from Spanish-Mexican ranchos to intensive commercial agriculture. This industrial shift is best exemplified by the presence of Spreckels along the Salinas River, a company town established to support the local sugar beet industry.

Transport networks are well-defined, showing the Southern Pacific R R and the narrow-gauge Pajaro Valley Consolidated R R serving the valley's transit needs. Small social centers and rural school districts are scattered throughout, including Confederate Corners, Old Hilltown, and the original campus of Hartnell College. From the heights of Mt Toro down to the marshes of Espinosa Lake, the map provides a look at the early development of this California agricultural powerhouse.