1949 Map of Laguna Beach

About this map

The San Joaquin Hills dominate the coastal topography of Orange County in the late 1940s, creating a series of dramatic drainages including Moro Canyon, Muddy Canyon, and Los Trancos Canyon that descend toward the Pacific. Along the shore, the community of Laguna Beach is anchored by landmarks such as the Art Gallery, Union High School, and Heisler Park. To the north, Corona del Mar and the southern edge of Newport Beach appear during a period of steady postwar growth along the Coast Highway. This map reveals the early development of the ridge-line community at Top of the World and the technical infrastructure of the era, including the Radio Station KTEO. The rugged coastline is defined by numerous points and coves like Emerald Bay and Crescent Bay, prior to the dense modern expansion of these seaside neighborhoods.