Loading map...

1950 Map of Beverly Hills

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Beverly Hills
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

The Santa Monica Mountains dominate the northern portion of this 1950s survey, with canyons like Benedict Canyon and Coldwater Canyon providing a dramatic backdrop to the rapidly expanding Westside. The urban landscape is defined by its prestigious institutions and entertainment roots, featuring the sprawling University of California at Los Angeles campus and the landmark M G M Studios in Culver City. The residential fabric is a patchwork of distinctive neighborhoods, from the winding roads of Bel Air and Beverly Glen to the structured grids of Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

Transit patterns of the mid-century are visible through the extensive Pacific Electric rail lines cutting through Sawtelle and Palms. Civic and recreational life is well-documented, with numerous country clubs like the Los Angeles Country Club and the massive U S Veterans Administration complex near Westwood Village. The map also captures essential infrastructure, including the Stone Canyon Res and Franklin Canyon Res, which supported the area's massive postwar growth.