1945 Map of Black Mtn

About this map

Lane Ranch and the Caswells settlement mark the developed fringe of the Los Angeles National Forest at the end of World War II. The landscape is defined by the steep drainage basins of Piru Creek and Canada de los Alamos, where narrow canyons dictated the path of early automotive infrastructure. The presence of the Southern Calif Gas Co Maint Sta No 5 and multiple Highway Maint Sta locations illustrates the vital role this corridor played in regional utility and transport logistics. Higher elevations are dotted with administrative outposts such as the Piru Guard Stat and Smith Fork Guard Sta, while the Bayley Homestead provides a glimpse into the late-stage ranching and homesteading history of the Los Angeles-Ventura county line. Local landmarks like Pyramid Rock and Ridge Tavern anchor this high-altitude transition between the valley and the peaks of Black Mtn.