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1902 Map of Capistrano

Name: 1902 Topographic Map of Capistrano
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1939
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1939

About this map

Capistrano and the surrounding coastline are captured here during a period of transition at the turn of the century, when large land grants like Mission Viejo and Santa Margarita Y Las Flores still defined the geography of southern Orange County. The landscape is dominated by steep coastal canyons and arroyos, including Arroyo San Mateo and Arroyo San Onofre, which cut through the hills toward the Pacific.

Transport is centered on the Southern California Railway (Surf Line), which hugs the shore from Dana Pt past the settlement of San Juan. This survey, conducted by A.B. Searle and R.U. Goode, documents the early coastal infrastructure before modern development, noting landmarks such as San Juan Rock and the coastal shelf at Boca De La Playa. It provides a clear record of the canyons, such as Gabino Canyon and Boundary Line Canyon, that shaped the early cattle ranching and rail corridors of the region.