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1939 Map of San Mateo

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of San Mateo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The San Francisco peninsula during the late 1930s and early 1940s reveals a landscape defined by the stark transition from urban density to the steep ridges of the coastal range. South of the city, the narrow corridor between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay is dominated by a chain of cemeteries near Colma, including Mt Olivet Memorial Park, Cypress Lawn Cem, and the Chinese Cem. This concentration of burial grounds reflects the early 20th-century relocation of cemeteries from the city proper.

Infrastructure for a growing suburban population is evident along the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Bay Shore Highway, connecting towns like San Bruno, Millbrae, and Burlingame. To the west, the rugged spine of Buriburi Ridge and Sawyer Ridge shields the San Andreas Lake and Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, highlighting the area's vital role in the regional water system. Along the bay shore, the Magnetic Station and Hunter Pt underscore the maritime and military importance of the waterfront during this era.