Old Map of Monterey Bay Region by White, 1932: Santa Cruz, Salinas, Pacific Grove, Lettuce, Southern Pacific Railroad

Step into the vibrant world of early 20th-century California with “A Cartograph of Monterey Bay Region,” masterfully illustrated by Ruth Taylor White in 1932. This exquisite pictorial map captures the allure of the Monterey Bay coastline, stretching from Santa Cruz to Salinas, and offers a delightful window into the region’s dynamic history and culture. White’s signature style—characterized by whimsical figures, bright colors, and playful captions—transforms the map into a lively tableau, where the landscape’s natural beauty and human enterprise are brought vividly to life.

The map’s historical significance is rooted in its role as both a travel guide and a promotional artifact. Commissioned by the L. & W. Land Company, a leading force in the agricultural development of the Rajaro Valley, the map highlights the area’s booming lettuce industry and its critical role in shaping the local economy. Through charming illustrations of lush fields, bustling towns, and hardworking figures, the map celebrates the agricultural heritage that defined the region during the Great Depression era—a period when California’s fertile valleys were becoming the nation’s breadbasket.

Beyond its agricultural focus, the map is a celebration of the Monterey Bay region’s rich tapestry of communities and landscapes. Major towns such as Santa Cruz, Monterey, Salinas, and Carmel are depicted with affectionate detail, while the Santa Cruz Mountains, Salinas River, and the dramatic Pacific coastline provide a stunning natural backdrop. The map’s pictorial style offers not only geographical orientation but also a sense of the vibrant daily life and recreational pursuits that made the area a magnet for visitors and settlers alike.

Transportation is a central theme, with the map’s top right corner featuring imaginative text art inviting travelers to explore the region by train, bus, automobile, or even airplane—a nod to the transformative impact of modern mobility in the 1930s. The inclusion of Southern Pacific Railroad routes, highways, and local roads reflects the era’s burgeoning tourism industry and the growing accessibility of California’s scenic wonders. These details underscore the region’s emergence as a premier destination for both leisure and commerce.

“A Cartograph of Monterey Bay Region” is more than a map—it is a historical document, a work of art, and a celebration of a pivotal era in California’s development. It captures the optimism, ingenuity, and community spirit that defined the Monterey Bay area in the early 20th century. Whether you are a collector, a historian, or an admirer of fine cartography, this map offers a captivating glimpse into the past, where every illustrated detail tells a story of place, people, and progress.

Places on this map

• Santa Cruz
• Capitola
• Watsonville
• Moss Landing
• Castroville
• Salinas
• Monterey
• Pacific Grove
• Carmel (Carmel-by-the-Sea)
• Seaside
• Marina
• Pajaro
• Spreckels
• Soledad
• Gonzales
• Chualar
• Salinas River
• Rajaro Valley
• Monterey Bay
• Santa Cruz Mountains

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Title cartouche reading “A Cartograph of Monterey Bay Region.”
• Brightly colored illustrations of the coastline, ocean, and inland areas.
• Cartoon figures representing local activities (e.g., fishing, agriculture, recreation).
• Illustrations of lettuce fields, highlighting the region’s agricultural focus.
• Whimsical text art in the top right corner promoting travel by train, bus, car, or plane.
• Compass rose for orientation.
• Small inset location map showing the region’s position within California.
• Labeled transportation routes, including the Southern Pacific Railroad.
• Pictorial depictions of local wildlife and marine life in Monterey Bay.
• Illustrations of boats and ships in the bay.
• Depictions of notable buildings and landmarks (e.g., missions, lighthouses).
• Representation of the Santa Cruz Mountains and other geographic features.
• Artistic renderings of the coastline, beaches, and cliffs.
• Visual emphasis on the agricultural richness of the Salinas Valley.
• Decorative border elements enhancing the map’s visual appeal.
• Inclusion of local recreational activities such as golfing and horseback riding.
• Artistic depiction of the Pacific Ocean with labeled “Monterey Bay.”
• Notations of major highways and roads of the period.
• Playful, informative captions throughout the map.
• Emphasis on the region’s accessibility and appeal to tourists and travelers.
• Visual references to the area’s Spanish and Mexican heritage (e.g., missions).
• Inclusion of local flora and fauna in the illustrations.
• Artistic representation of the region’s rolling hills and valleys.
• Prominent labeling of the Rajaro Valley (noted for lettuce production).
• Depiction of the Salinas River.
• Illustrations of local festivals or community gatherings.
• Visual references to fishing and canning industries.
• Labeled beaches and coastal features.
• Artistic rendering of the transition from coastal to inland agricultural areas.

Historical and design context

• Created in 1932 by Ruth Taylor White, a noted American illustrator known for her vibrant and whimsical pictorial maps.
• Produced for L. & W. Land Company, a business specializing in the cultivation and shipping of agricultural produce, especially lettuce from the Rajaro Valley.
• The map is a pictorial and thematic representation, highlighting the region’s attractions, activities, and agricultural significance.
• Features bright, engaging colors and charming cartoon-like figures, characteristic of Ruth Taylor White’s work.
• Includes a decorative title cartouche, a compass rose, and a small location map for orientation.
• Created during a period of regional growth and agricultural development in California; serves both as a promotional tool and a historical artifact reflecting the era’s travel and economic trends.
• Offers insight into the historical geography, tourism, and agricultural marketing of the Monterey Bay area in the early 20th century.
• The map’s pictorial style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s, aiming to make geography accessible and entertaining.
• Reflects the importance of agriculture (especially lettuce) to the local economy, as promoted by the L. & W. Land Company.
• The map is historically informative, capturing the look, feel, and activities of the region during the early 1930s.
• The map is not to scale and is intended for illustrative and promotional purposes rather than precise navigation.
• A valuable artifact for those interested in California’s regional development, tourism history, and agricultural heritage.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.