1948 Map of Santa Cruz

About this map

The Salinas River valley serves as the central artery for this 1948 topographic study, connecting a network of agricultural and military centers during the post-war era. Significant federal land holdings are prominent, including the Fort Ord Military Reservation on the coast and the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation to the south, while the Pinnacles National Monument preserves the stark terrain of the Gabilan Range. Along the coast, the urban centers of Santa Cruz and Monterey overlook Monterey Bay, supported by regional transit via the Southern Pacific railroad and U S Highway 101. Rural life is marked by several small education centers like Dunbarton School and Natividad School, which served the farming communities of the central valley before the intensification of modern development. The map also records the aviation infrastructure of the period, including the King City NAAS and Salinas Field.