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1959 Map of Surf

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Surf
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Vandenberg Air Force Base dominates this coastal landscape north of Point Arguello, a region transitioning into a high-technology military hub during the late 1950s. The map captures the extensive infrastructure of the U S Naval Missile Facility and the U S Disciplinary Barracks Mil Res, contrasting with the remnant agricultural and maritime history of the area. Along the shore, the Southern Pacific railroad connects small stop points like Surf and Baroda, while the historic Lompoc Landing (Site) serves as a reminder of earlier coastal shipping efforts.

Water and terrain features like the Santa Ynez River and Lompoc Terrace frame the landscape, which is divided by inland canyons such as Pine Canyon and Lucia Canyon. Local education and early settlement patterns are visible at the Artesia School and the small cluster at La Salle. This survey represents a specific moment when the Central Coast's geography was being reshaped by the Cold War aerospace industry.