1953 Map of La Mesa

About this map

San Diego State College sits at the heart of this post-war landscape, marking a period of rapid suburban expansion toward the eastern hills. The urban footprint of La Mesa and eastern San Diego neighborhoods like Normal Heights and Kensington Park contrasts sharply with the expansive military and natural reservations to the north. Extensive naval history is grounded in the Naval Air Station Miramar and Camp Elliott, while the rugged geography of Mission Gorge remains largely undeveloped. Along the San Diego River, the presence of the Old Mission Dam provides a rare link to the region's colonial irrigation history. The map also documents a growing infrastructure of education and community life, featuring dozens of local schools and the prominent Murray Reservoir with its nearby Filtration Plant.