1936 Map of La Panza

About this map

La Panza Range and the western edge of the Carrizo Plain define this interior portion of San Luis Obispo County. Surveyed between 1919 and 1932, the map illustrates a landscape of deep canyons and isolated outposts before modern expansion. Significant ranching and mining history is anchored by La Panza Ranch and the small settlement of La Panza, while numerous water sources like Carnaza Spr and Mustang Spr indicate the vital importance of springs in this semi-arid terrain. The drainage of San Juan Creek cuts a dominant path through the center, flanked by prominent elevations including Mc Chesney Mtn and Syncline Hill. Much of the southern territory is dedicated to the Los Padres National Forest, preserving the complex network of names like Piletas Canyon and Buckhorn Creek that characterize the area's geography.