1946 Map of Selma

About this map

Agricultural development and a burgeoning irrigation network define this region of the Central Valley just after World War II. The landscape is meticulously partitioned by countless ditches and canals feeding into orchards and vineyards, anchored by the Kings River along the eastern edge. Major rail arteries of the Southern Pacific and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe serve as the backbone for local commerce, connecting the industrial fringes of Fresno with established farming hubs like Selma, Sanger, and Kingsburg. Genealogists will find a wealth of local landmarks, from rural schoolhouses like Terry School and Locans Sch to the Swedish Mission and various denominational landmarks like Bethel Ch. This era marks a peak in the small-farm grid before the consolidation of the late 20th century, capturing the precise locations of the U S Experimental Station and numerous family-named landmarks including Wineland and Conejo.