1959 Map of Santa Maria

About this map

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad cuts through the heart of this coastal valley, connecting the town center to the vast industrial landscape of the Santa Maria Oil Field. The 1950s urban core is densely populated with community institutions like the County Fairgrounds and Allan Hancock College, while the surrounding geography is defined by the Santa Maria River to the north and the rising terrain of Nipomo Mesa. Beyond the residential streets of Santa Maria, the landscape transitions into an intensive production zone marked by numerous Oil Wells, an Oil Refinery, and expansive Gravel Pits. This survey captures the mid-century intersection of a growing agricultural hub and a robust petroleum economy, documenting several local campuses such as the El Camino School and Fairlawn School alongside the regional infrastructure of the Santa Maria Airport and a dedicated Airbase (Siding).