1928 Map of La Brea

About this map

La Puente and the Rincon de la Brea land grant areas dominate this late 1920s landscape, illustrating the transition from large ranching estates to early 20th-century infrastructure. The Union Pacific Railroad cuts through the northern section near the settlement of Otterbein, while the interior is defined by deep cuts like Brea Canyon and Sonoma Canyon. Evidence of the region's developing petroleum industry is visible with a specific Oil Well location noted among the hills. Local education and community life are anchored by the Fairview School and landmarks such as the Silver Peak Ranch. The map also captures important transportation arteries of the era, including the winding Spadra Road and the Anaheim Rodeo trail, which trace the natural topography of the land where the boundaries of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties converge.