1976 Map of San Luis Obispo

About this map

San Luis Obispo is captured in sharp detail by this orthophotoquad, which utilizes imagery taken on June 28, 1976. Unlike traditional topographic maps, this aerial perspective reveals the exact physical footprint of the city and its surrounding infrastructure as they appeared in the mid-1970s. The urban grid of San Luis Obispo is clearly visible in the southeastern portion of the sheet, while the military installations at Camp San Luis Obispo occupy the western landscape. Produced in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service, the map highlights the distinct boundaries between the developing residential areas and the surrounding agricultural or open lands near Bishop. This photographic record provides a precise visual baseline for understanding the regional settlement patterns and land use before the expansion of the later 20th century.