Old Maps of Compton, California for Academic Research

Study the evolution of Compton with 44 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.

  • Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
  • Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
  • Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.

These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how Compton has changed over the decades.


Compton, CA maps

(44)
  1. 1896 Map of Redondo
    1896 Map of Redondo
    1896 Redondo
    1896 Print · USGS
    The Los Angeles coastline and South Bay are captured here in the mid-1890s, when large ranchos still shaped the landscape between the sea and the city. Researchers can trace the early footprints of Inglewood, the military history of the Drum Barracks, and the vanished marshes of Nigger Slough.
    9 unique versions available

  2. 1896 Map of Downey
    1896 Map of Downey
    1896 Downey
    1896 Print · USGS
    The Los Angeles Basin was a landscape of vast ranchos and emerging rail towns in the 1890s. Genealogists and historians can trace the early footprints of Downey and Whittier, alongside unique landmarks like the Poor Farm Sta. and Fulton Wells.

  3. 1899 Map of Downey
    1899 Map of Downey
    1899 Downey
    1899 Print · USGS
    Coastal Los Angeles County at the close of the nineteenth century reveals a landscape of massive ranchos being carved into early townships. Genealogists can trace family roots through historic rail stops like Obed Bell Sta. and vanished settlements like Spanishtown or Nadeau Park.

  4. 1901 Map of Southern California Sheet No. 1
    1901 Map of Southern California Sheet No. 1
    1901 Southern California Sheet No. 1
    1901 Print · USGS
    Greater Los Angeles at the dawn of the twentieth century is a landscape of growing citrus towns and a burgeoning rail network. Genealogists and historians can trace the early gridded streets of Hollywood and Pasadena or locate landmarks like Bear Lake and the Cahuilla Indian Reservation.
    6 unique versions available

  5. 1902 Map of Downey
    1902 Map of Downey
    1902 Downey
    1902 Print · USGS
    The Los Angeles coastal plain at the turn of the century shows a network of early citrus towns and Spanish rancho boundaries. Trace the development of the river system and rail stops like Poor Farm Sta., Fulton Wells, and the growing community of Whittier.
    9 unique versions available

  6. 1904 Map of Southern California Sheet No. 1, 1905 Print
    1904 Map of Southern California Sheet No. 1, 1905 Print
    1904 Southern California Sheet No. 1
    1905 Print · USGS
    Southern California at the dawn of the twentieth century shows a landscape of citrus groves and coastal towns connected by rail. Genealogists and historians can trace early settlements like San Juan Capistrano, find remote sites like the Rose Mine, and study the original water systems of the Santa Ana River.
    2 unique versions available

  7. 1923 Map of Bell
    1923 Map of Bell
    1923 Bell
    1923 Print · USGS
    Los Angeles County was rapidly urbanizing in the early twenties as residential tracts replaced citrus groves and ranchlands. Genealogists can trace family footprints through the numerous local schools like Old River School or find historical industrial sites such as the Rio Grande Oil Co.

  8. 1923 Map of Watts
    1923 Map of Watts
    1923 Watts
    1923 Print · USGS
    South-central Los Angeles is seen here during its mid-twenties transition into a major metropolitan corridor. Researchers can trace early street grids and rail lines through the City of Watts, Lynwood, and schools like Willowbrook School.

  9. 1924 Map of Compton
    1924 Map of Compton
    1924 Compton
    1924 Print · USGS
    The Los Angeles basin near Compton and Gardena was a landscape of citrus groves and oil derricks in the mid-twenties. Genealogists and researchers can trace local landmarks like the Woodlawn Cemetery, the Dominguez Ranch, and schools including Carson School.

  10. 1924 Map of Watts
    1924 Map of Watts
    1924 Watts
    1924 Print · USGS
    South Los Angeles and its neighboring industrial suburbs come to life in the mid-1920s as a burgeoning network of rail lines and residential grids. Researchers can trace early school sites like Willowbrook School and large-scale industrial landmarks including the Goodyear Rubber Co.
    2 unique versions available

  11. 1925 Map of Clearwater
    1925 Map of Clearwater
    1925 Clearwater
    1925 Print · USGS
    Southeast Los Angeles County emerges as an industrial powerhouse during the 1920s oil boom. Genealogists and historians can trace early residential blocks in Bellflower and Clearwater or locate vanished sites like the Federal Telegraph Co Wireless Sta and Cerritos Gun Club.
    2 unique versions available

  12. 1925 Map of Bell
    1925 Map of Bell
    1925 Bell
    1925 Print · USGS
    Southeast Los Angeles during the mid-twenties shows a landscape of growing towns and industrial expansion between the river forks. Genealogists and researchers can trace early neighborhoods in Bell and Maywood or locate landmarks like the County Farm Hondo PO and Rio Grande Oil Refinery.
    2 unique versions available

  13. 1930 Map of Compton
    1930 Map of Compton
    1930 Compton
    1930 Print · USGS
    The South Bay and Gateway regions emerge as industrial powerhouses in this 1930s survey of the plains between Los Angeles and the coast. Trace the footprint of early oil operations at the Shell Oil Dominguez Refinery or locate community roots at the Gardena Japanese School and Woodlawn Cemetery.
    2 unique versions available

  14. 1936 Map of Bell
    1936 Map of Bell
    1936 Bell
    1936 Print · USGS
    The industrial heart of Los Angeles County is captured here in the mid-1930s as rail-side communities like Bell and Lynwood expand. Trace the early footprints of the Rio Grande Oil Refinery, locate the County Farm Hondo PO, or find family roots near Gallatin Sch.

  15. 1937 Map of Watts
    1937 Map of Watts
    1937 Watts
    1937 Print · USGS
    Los Angeles and its southern neighbors show a landscape of rapid industrial and rail expansion in the mid-1930s. Researchers can trace the early residential street grids and commercial hubs surrounding the General Petroleum Tank Farm, Watts, and the Pacific Electric lines.
    2 unique versions available

  16. 1942 Map of Downey
    1942 Map of Downey
    1942 Downey
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Los Angeles Basin and North Orange County appear here during the wartime boom, showcasing a landscape transitioning from ranchos to suburbs. Trace the historic Pacific Electric rail lines, the oil fields of Santa Fe Springs, and early settlements like Hynes and Studebaker.

  17. 1943 Map of San Pedro
    1943 Map of San Pedro
    1943 San Pedro
    1943 Print · USGS
    The South Bay and Los Angeles Harbor area appear here during the Second World War, showing a landscape of burgeoning industry and aviation. Trace wartime infrastructure and local landmarks like Hughes Airport, Terminal Island, and Inglewood Park Cem.

  18. 1943 Map of Downey, 1963 Print
    1943 Map of Downey, 1963 Print
    1943 Downey
    1963 Print · USGS
    Southeast Los Angeles County and northern Orange County appear here at the height of the mid-century boom. Researchers can trace the massive rail infrastructure of the Pacific Electric and locate landmarks like the County Hospital and Signal Hill.
    2 unique versions available

  19. 1944 Map of Redondo
    1944 Map of Redondo
    1944 Redondo
    1944 Print · USGS
    Coastal Los Angeles at the height of the Second World War shows a landscape defined by expanding refineries, rail lines, and beach towns. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of South Bay industry through the Standard Oil Co Refinery, Inglewood Park Cemetery, and the early Pacific Electric routes.

  20. 1949 Map of Long Beach
    1949 Map of Long Beach
    1949 Long Beach
    1949 Print · USGS
    Southern California at the start of the post-war boom shows the rapid development of the Los Angeles basin and the South Bay. Genealogists and historians can trace the evolution of early suburbs like Gardena and Lynwood or the coastal defenses at Ft MacArthur Lower Reservation.
    2 unique versions available

  21. 1949 Map of Long Beach, 1951 Print
    1949 Map of Long Beach, 1951 Print
    1949 Long Beach
    1951 Print · USGS
    Long Beach and its coastal neighbors are captured here during a period of massive post-war growth and industrial production. Genealogists and historians can trace neighborhood landmarks like Polytechnic High Sch, the landmarks of Signal Hill, and the historic Rainbow Pier.
    4 unique versions available

  22. 1949 Map of South Gate, 1957 Print
    1949 Map of South Gate, 1957 Print
    1949 South Gate
    1957 Print · USGS
    Southeast Los Angeles at the end of the 1940s reveals a thriving hub of rail, aviation, and industry during its post-war growth spurt. Genealogists and historians can trace family-named sites like Rancho Los Amigos and the Russian Molokan Cem alongside defunct airfields like Vail Airport.
    2 unique versions available

  23. 1950 Map of Inglewood, 1957 Print
    1950 Map of Inglewood, 1957 Print
    1950 Inglewood
    1957 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Los Angeles County is captured here during a period of intense postwar suburban and industrial growth. Genealogists and local historians can trace the foundations of Inglewood and Hawthorne, locating landmarks like the Inglewood Park Cemetery and the Gardena Valley Airport.

  24. 1952 Map of Inglewood
    1952 Map of Inglewood
    1952 Inglewood
    1952 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Los Angeles County undergoes massive post-war expansion across the South Bay and Centinela Valley. Genealogists can locate family homes near Hollywood Park, Inglewood Park Cemetery, and the Gardena Valley Airport.

  25. 1952 Map of South gate
    1952 Map of South gate
    1952 South gate
    1952 Print · USGS
    Southeast Los Angeles is shown in the early fifties as the industrial heart of the region, where a complex network of rail and river corridors fueled rapid growth. Researchers can trace family roots at the Russian Molokan Cem or find local landmarks like St Mathias Sch and Mission Hosp.

Showing maps 1-25 of 44

Top cities near Compton

See more

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Compton?
  • What is the oldest map of Compton?
  • Where can I purchase historical maps of Compton for my home or office?
  • Where can I download high-res historical maps of Compton?
  • Are there historical topographic maps available for Compton?
  • Is there historical aerial imagery available for Compton?
  • Where are historical maps of Compton sourced from?