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1956 Map of San Luis Obispo

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of San Luis Obispo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Santa Lucia Range dominates the western coastline of Central California in this mid-century topographic survey, where Highway 101 serves as the primary artery connecting inland valleys. At this time, the Southern Pacific Railroad remains a vital transport link, shadowing the Salinas River through San Miguel and Paso Robles. The landscape reveals a diverse mix of agricultural basins and large-scale military holdings, most notably the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation and Camp Roberts Military Reservation flanking the northern boundary.

Along the coast, the topography highlights established seaside communities like San Simeon and Morro Bay before the modern era of intensive development. Further east, the vast Carrizo Plain and the Temblor Range mark the transition toward the Central Valley, punctuated by geographic features like Soda Lake and the Kettleman Plain. Local history is preserved in the location of the Paso Robles County Cemetery and the Templeton Cemetery, providing essential data for genealogical research.