1959 Map of Santa Maria

About this map

Santa Maria emerges as a bustling central hub on the border of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, its grid expanding rapidly as indicated by 1970s purple-tint revisions. The landscape is defined by the massive industrial footprint of the Santa Maria Oil Field, where numerous oil wells and an oil refinery signify the region's mid-century petroleum economy. This industrial character is balanced by established community institutions like Allan Hancock College, the County Fairgrounds, and several local campuses such as El Camino Jr High School and Miller St School. To the south and west, the terrain transitions into the agricultural and resource-rich Santa Maria Valley, dotted with smaller settlements like Betteravia and Midco. The presence of the Santa Maria Airport and the Airbase (Siding) highlights the strategic and commercial infrastructure supporting this Central Coast valley during its post-war growth phase.