1954 Map of San Rafael

About this map

Mt Tamalpais anchors this mid-century view of Marin County, where the dense coastal canyons of the Muir Woods National Monument give way to the burgeoning postwar suburban landscape. The era’s growth is visible in the network of schools and civic institutions, from the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo to Dominican College in San Rafael. The transportation infrastructure of the time is defined by the Northwestern Pacific RR and the Highway 101 corridor, which spurred the expansion of valley settlements like Corte Madera and Larkspur. In the hills, the presence of Borths Retreat and the Mountain Theater reflects the region's long-standing culture of recreational access. This survey also records the institutional character of the day, featuring the Military Academy and the Mt Tamalpais Cemetery, illustrating a community transitioning from early rural estates to a primary residence for the Bay Area workforce.