1959 Map of Los Angeles

About this map

Los Angeles and its northern suburban reaches are depicted at a pivotal mid-century moment, showing the rapid expansion of the San Fernando Valley and the coastal corridor toward Santa Barbara. The landscape is dominated by the massive protected lands of the Los Padres National Forest and Angeles National Forest, which separate the coastal basins from the Mojave Desert and the Cuyama Valley. Information-gain insights include the concentration of aerospace and defense infrastructure during the Cold War era, evidenced by the Point Mugu Air Missile Test Ctr and Port Hueneme USN. Transportation networks are in transition, with the Pacific Electric lines still visible alongside the growing highway system including Us 101 and Us 99. The map also captures several rural schools like the Castaic School and mining sites like the Monte Cristo Mines tucked into the mountain ranges.