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1956 Map of San Francisco North

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of San Francisco North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

San Francisco's dense urban grid meets the Pacific and the Bay in this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by civic institutions and coastal defense. The city is a tightly packed network of schools and churches, from the Lombard Sch in the north to the Mission H S in the south. The northern waterfront is dominated by maritime and military presence, anchored by the Presidio Military Reservation and the distinctive piers of Fishermans Wharf. Across the Golden Gate, the survey highlights the transition from the city's built environment to the shorelines of Sausalito and the rugged heights of Angel Island.

The map captures a specific era of connectivity, showing the Golden Gate Bridge and the Skyway as they integrated the peninsula with the surrounding region. Significant recreational spaces like Golden Gate Park, with its chain of lakes including Stow Lake and Spreckels Lake, offer a clear view of the city's planned green space. To the west, the oceanfront features historic coastal landmarks such as the Sutro Baths and Cliff House, marking the edge of the continent before the heavy development of the later 20th century.