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1915 Map of San Mateo

Name: 1915 Topographic Map of San Mateo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1930
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1930

About this map

San Francisco and the northern reaches of the peninsula are depicted here as they transitioned into a more developed suburban and industrial landscape. The survey details the early infrastructure of the region, including institutional landmarks like the Alms House and the Industrial School near Lake Merced. Along the eastern shoreline, the industrial character of South San Francisco is evident near the San Bruno Canal, while the western coast remains dominated by the sheer cliffs of Devils Slide and the coastal settlements of Montara and Moss Beach.

Tracing the transport routes reveals the importance of the Southern Pacific Interurban and the Monterey Line in connecting communities like Millbrae and San Carlos. The map also captures significant engineering works of the era, such as the Crystal Springs Dam and the Stone Dam, which were critical for the growing city's water supply. Local genealogy and history are well-represented by the location of the Chinese Cem and the Hoyt School.