1903 Map of Calabasas

About this map

San Fernando Valley ranching and early citrus lands meet the steep canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains in this survey based on field work from the late 19th century. The landscape is defined by vast land grants and historical ranchos, including Ex Mission, Escorpion, and Boca de Santa Monica. Along the coast, Port Los Angeles stands as a significant maritime landmark near the mouth of Santa Monica Canyon, while inland, the Southern Pacific railroad and its Chatsworth Park Branch facilitate the growth of nascent settlements like Chatsworth, Canoga, and Reseda. The terrain transitions from the high ridges of Calabasas Peak and Saddle Peak down through a network of steep drainage systems such as Topanga Canyon and Malibu, illustrating the difficult topography that separated the valley floor from the shoreline before modern highway development.