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1956 Map of San Francisco

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of San Francisco
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The San Francisco Bay Area and its maritime approaches are captured during a mid-century period of intense urban expansion and military presence. This survey highlights the complex infrastructure of the region, from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to the industrial Salt Evaporators lining the southern reaches of San Francisco Bay. The shoreline is a dense network of transit and defense, featuring the Presidio Military Reservation, the Naval Shipyard, and several air stations, reflecting the area's strategic importance.

Further inland and along the coast, the landscape is defined by its educational and environmental landmarks. The academic centers of University of California in Berkeley and Stanford University near Palo Alto anchor the East Bay and Peninsula. To the west, the map details the rugged Pacific coastline, including the Farallon Islands and the protected reaches of the Point Reyes National Seashore, providing a clear look at the contrast between the burgeoning cities and the preserved coastal wilderness.