1928 Map of La Brea

About this map

The La Puente Hills dominate this survey, which captures a landscape transitioning from agricultural ranching to early industrial exploration in the late 1920s. Along the northern edge, the Union Pacific Railroad serves the settlement of Otterbein, where the Fairview School provided a focal point for local families. The interior is defined by the steep topography of Rincon de la Brea and the deep cuts of La Brea Canyon and Sonoma Canyon. While the Silver Peak Ranch suggests the area's rural roots, the presence of a solitary Oil Well near the western hills signals the arrival of the petroleum industry that would eventually transform the region. Local thoroughfares like Grazide Road and Spadra Road navigate the complex terrain, marking the early infrastructure of eastern Los Angeles County before the era of modern suburbanization.