1952 Map of Canoga Park

About this map

The San Fernando Valley is shown here in a transformative mid-century state, where post-war suburban development meets the agricultural and equestrian roots of Los Angeles. Neighborhoods like Northridge, Winnetka, and Reseda are structured by a rigid grid of boulevards, yet large swaths of land remain dedicated to specialized institutions such as the C W Pierce School of Agr and the Ridgewood Military Academy. Along the southern boundary, the Santa Monica Mountains rise sharply, hosting the winding Mulholland Drive and lookouts like San Vicente Mtn. The map reveals the critical water infrastructure of the era, from the Chatsworth Reservoir in the northwest to the Encino Reservoir and the Sepulveda Flood Control Basin in the east. This period captures a landscape where the Southern Pacific rail line still services agricultural stops like Tarzana Siding even as the region transitions toward a residential hub.