1923 Map of Sultana

About this map

Agricultural development and the railroad economy define this landscape at the intersection of Fresno and Tulare Counties in the early 1920s. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad serves as the primary spine for local commerce, connecting the settlements of Sultana, Orosi, and Cutler. The presence of the Alta Irrigation District Canal indicates the critical role of water management in transforming this Central Valley terrain into productive farmland. Rising abruptly from the flat orchard lands are the prominent peaks of Smith Mtn and Curtis Mtn, which provide a sharp contrast to the surrounding grid of section lines and irrigation ditches. Rural education is established at the Mt Olive School and Lovell School, marking the social centers for the farming families of the Sultana district.