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1950s Maps of Orange County, California

Explore 21 historic maps of Orange County from the 1950s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1950s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how Orange County's landscape evolved across the 1950s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1950s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring Orange County's history through authentic maps from the 1950s. This is your window into the past.

Orange County, CA maps

(21)
  1. 1950 Map of Prado Dam
    1950 Map of Prado Dam
    1950 Prado Dam
    1950 Print · USGS
    The Prado Dam area at the start of the 1950s shows a unique mix of institutional expansion, aviation history, and flood control. Local researchers can trace the Cal-Aero Flight Academy, the California Institution for Men, and the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens.
  4. 1950 Map of Yorba Linda
    1950 Map of Yorba Linda
    1950 Yorba Linda
    1950 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Orange County is caught in a moment of transition between its petroleum roots and growing citrus communities. Genealogists and local historians can trace the early grids of Yorba Linda and Placentia or locate sites like La Vida Mineral Springs and the Olinda Oil Field.
  7. 1950 Map of Orange
    1950 Map of Orange
    1950 Orange
    1950 Print · USGS
    Orange County enters a period of significant growth at mid-century, where citrus groves meet the expansion of Santa Ana and Orange. Researchers can trace old school sites like Lincoln Sch, numerous Oil Wells, and the Yorba Ch (Aban'd) near the river.
  10. 1950 Map of Tustin
    1950 Map of Tustin
    1950 Tustin
    1950 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Orange County is captured here during its transition from a powerhouse citrus region to a suburban and military hub. Genealogists and local researchers can locate early landmarks like Irvine Ranch, Tustin High Sch, and the Orange County Airport.
    2 unique versions available
  13. 1950 Map of Anaheim
    1950 Map of Anaheim
    1950 Anaheim
    1950 Print · USGS
    Post-war Orange County flourishes here, showing the growth of central citrus hubs before the freeway era. Genealogists can trace family names at Anaheim Cemetery or find historic labor enclaves like Colonia Independencia and Colonia Manzanillo.
  16. 1950 Map of El Toro
    1950 Map of El Toro
    1950 El Toro
    1950 Print · USGS
    Orange County's inland valleys and canyons are documented here in the mid-twentieth century, just as military expansion began to reshape the landscape. Local historians can trace the El Toro Air Station Naval Reservation, the El Toro Cem, and rural mountain life in Modjeska.
    2 unique versions available
  19. 1950 Map of Los Alamitos
    1950 Map of Los Alamitos
    1950 Los Alamitos
    1950 Print · USGS
    Coastal Southern California is captured here in the mid-century as citrus groves and ranches gave way to defense facilities and new suburbs. Researchers can trace the development of Hawaiian Gardens or locate family history at Artesia Cem and the Pioneer Sch.
  22. 1950 Map of Seal Beach
    1950 Map of Seal Beach
    1950 Seal Beach
    1950 Print · USGS
    The Orange County coast in the late Forties is a landscape of expansive wetlands, oil derricks, and emerging beach towns. Researchers can trace the Pacific Electric rail route or locate vanished landmarks like East Long Beach Airport and Wintersburg.
  25. 1950 Map of Black Star Canyon
    1950 Map of Black Star Canyon
    1950 Black Star Canyon
    1950 Print · USGS
    The Orange and Riverside County line was defined by steep canyons and mining prospects at mid-century. Researchers can trace early industrial footprints at the Black Star Coal Mine (Inactive) or locate the Hidden Ranch near the Main Divide Motorway.
  28. 1950 Map of La Habra, 1955 Print
    1950 Map of La Habra, 1955 Print
    1950 La Habra
    1955 Print · USGS
    Northern Orange County was a land of sprawling citrus ranches and active oil fields at the midpoint of the century. You can trace the transition from rural estates like Sunny Hills Ranch to the early suburban streets of La Habra and Buena Park.
  31. 1951 Map of Newport Beach
    1951 Map of Newport Beach
    1951 Newport Beach
    1951 Print · USGS
    Coastal Orange County in the early fifties reveals a landscape of emerging suburbs and working oil fields before the era of major freeways. Genealogists and local historians can trace the foundations of Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach, or locate vanished landmarks like Balboa Airport and Colonia Juarez.
    2 unique versions available
  34. 1951 Map of Whittier
    1951 Map of Whittier
    1951 Whittier
    1951 Print · USGS
    Southeast Los Angeles County undergoes a massive mid-century transformation as citrus groves give way to suburban tracts and oil infrastructure. Researchers can trace the development of Santa Fe Springs and Whittier alongside landmarks like the Pio Pico Mansion State Historical Monument and Whittier College.
    2 unique versions available
  37. 1952 Map of La Habra
    1952 Map of La Habra
    1952 La Habra
    1952 Print · USGS
    The northern Orange County borderlands and Puente Hills are captured here during a pivotal era of suburban and industrial expansion. Trace the footprints of historic agricultural estates like Leffingwell Ranch or find the early oil derricks and tanks near Brea and La Habra Heights.
    2 unique versions available
  40. 1954 Map of Alberhill, 1955 Print
    1954 Map of Alberhill, 1955 Print
    1954 Alberhill
    1955 Print · USGS
    Riverside County's industrial and mountain landscapes are captured here in the mid-fifties, from the clay mines of the valley to the high peaks of the national forest. Trace the early operations at the Ceramic Factory in Alberhill or locate the private McConville Nudist Camp.
    7 unique versions available
  43. 1954 Map of Santiago Peak, 1955 Print
    1954 Map of Santiago Peak, 1955 Print
    1954 Santiago Peak
    1955 Print · USGS
    Orange County's high backcountry and canyons are captured in the mid-fifties before heavy suburbanization transformed the region. Researchers can trace historic access routes and mountain landmarks like the Ramakrishna Monastery, Trabuco Oaks, and Santiago Peak.
    7 unique versions available
  46. 1954 Map of Sitton Peak, 1955 Print
    1954 Map of Sitton Peak, 1955 Print
    1954 Sitton Peak
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest are captured in the mid-fifties during a period of steady ranching and early recreational use. Researchers can locate established homesteads like Stewart Ranch, find backcountry sites like Fishermans Camp, and trace the path of the Ortega Highway.
    4 unique versions available
  49. 1954 Map of Corona South, 1955 Print
    1954 Map of Corona South, 1955 Print
    1954 Corona South
    1955 Print · USGS
    The foothills of Riverside County come alive in the mid-1950s as citrus groves and early suburban developments like El Cerrito Village border the mountains. Genealogists and historians can locate Sunnyslope Cemetery, the Butterfield Stage Sta Historical Marker, and several local schools.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1956 Map of Santa Ana
    1956 Map of Santa Ana
    1956 Santa Ana
    1956 Print · USGS
    Southern California underwent massive mid-century transformation as suburban growth met major military and water projects. Trace the postwar expansion of Santa Ana and Riverside, the layout of Camp Pendleton, and the path of the Colorado River Aqueduct.
  55. 1957 Map of Long Beach
    1957 Map of Long Beach
    1957 Long Beach
    1957 Print · USGS
    The Los Angeles coast and the Channel Islands appear here during the mid-fifties era of rapid suburbanization and naval expansion. Genealogists and researchers can locate early industrial neighborhoods like South Gate and trace military boundaries at Ft MacArthur Upper Reservation or the remote San Nicolas Island.
    4 unique versions available
  58. 1958 Map of Long Beach
    1958 Map of Long Beach
    1958 Long Beach
    1958 Print · USGS
    Coastal Southern California is shown during a mid-century period of intense suburbanization and military readiness. Genealogists and historians can trace the growth of Long Beach, identify early neighborhoods in Lakewood Village, or locate the bounds of Ft MacArthur Lower Reservation.
  61. 1959 Map of Santa Ana, 1971 Print
    1959 Map of Santa Ana, 1971 Print
    1959 Santa Ana
    1971 Print · USGS
    Southern California is captured in a decade of transformation, from the Orange County coast to the desert floor. Researchers can trace the mid-century footprints of Camp Pendleton, March Air Force Base, and the original Ortega Highway.
    3 unique versions available
End of results
Showing maps 1-21 of 21

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Frequently asked questions

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