1950 Map of Tulare

About this map

The agricultural and transit hub of Tulare appears here during a period of post-war expansion, centered at the busy junction of the Southern Pacific and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroads. The town's civic core is well-defined by landmark structures like City Hall, the Post Office, and the Tulare Cemetery. The surrounding landscape is dominated by a complex network of irrigation infrastructure, including the Tulare District Canal and Rockyford Ditch, which supported the region's productive orchards and fields. To the south, the Tulare Municipal Airport and Rankin Airfield reflect the era's growing aviation infrastructure, while rural life is anchored by institutions like the Oakland Colony School and the Old Peoples Home. The map captures the transition from a traditional rail-oriented town to a modernizing valley center defined by highway development and specialized facilities like the County Fairgrounds.