1959 Map of Los Angeles

About this map

Los Padres National Forest and the Angeles National Forest dominate the high country on this mid-century survey, while the coastal plains show the rapid expansion of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The transit network is a complex of major arteries including the Southern Pacific and Pacific Electric railroads, alongside a budding freeway system featuring U.S. 101 and U.S. 66. Along the coast, the Point Mugu Air Missile Test Ctr signifies the era's growing military and aerospace footprint. To the north, the Mojave Desert margin reveals an active mining landscape with the Double Eagle Mine and Cactus Mine near Rosamond. This map effectively documents the geographic transition between the agricultural heritage of the Cuyama Valley and the industrial urbanization spreading from Pasadena to Santa Monica.