1954 Map of Tomales

About this map

The San Andreas Tomales Rift Zone dominates this coastal landscape, carving the deep trough of Tomales Bay between the granite spine of Point Reyes and the mainland ridges. This mid-century view shows a rural economy of isolated dairy operations such as Upper Pierce Ranch and Kehoe Ranch scattered across the peninsula's coastal scrub. Along the eastern shoreline, the defunct Old Railroad Grade traces the water's edge, passing through small landings like Hamlet and Marshall. In the hills above the bay, the settlement of Tomales serves as a local hub, anchored by its Union Sch and Joint Union High Sch. The map captures the coastal interface at a time when the Univ of Pacific Marine Sta of Biological Science was established at Dillon Beach, while much of the southern peninsula was transitioning into the Tomales Bay State Park.