1905 Map of Santa Ynez

About this map

San Rafael Mountains and the rugged interior of the Santa Barbara National Forest dominate this early twentieth-century landscape. The map captures a transition between the northern Cuyama Valley, where the settlement of Wasioja sits near the Cuyama River, and the southern coastal range. Several Mexican land grant boundaries remain visible, including San Marcos, Tequepis, and Cañada de los Pinos, reflecting the area's deep pastoral roots. Higher elevations are marked by seasonal grazing lands known as potreros, such as Montgomery Potrero and Salisbury Potrero. In the south, the Santa Ynez Mountains rise above the Santa Ynez River, featuring the historic San Marcos Pass and the Painted Cave site. This survey illustrates the intricate drainage network of the Sisquoc River and numerous canyons before modern infrastructure altered the regional water and transit patterns.