1958 Map of Santa Maria

About this map

The Santa Maria Valley and the rugged central California coast are documented here during the late 1950s, a period of transition for the region’s landscape. The map centers on the agricultural hub of Santa Maria and the oil-producing areas around Orcutt, while highlighting the massive footprint of the Camp Cooke Military Reservation along the Pacific. This coastal stretch includes critical maritime landmarks like Point Conception and Point Arguello, marking the shift from the north-south coastline to the east-west orientation of the Santa Barbara Channel. To the south, the offshore terrain of San Miguel Island and Santa Rosa Island is shown with detailed coastal features including Cuyler Harbor and Bechers Bay. Inland, the Southern Pacific rail line threads through smaller settlements like Betteravia and Waldorf, while the San Rafael Mountains and Los Padres National Forest dominate the eastern topography.