1975 Map of Los Angeles

About this map

The Santa Monica Mountains and the extensive urbanization of the Los Angeles basin dominate this mid-1970s topographic study. This map captures the sprawling Southern California landscape before decades of further development, detailing the corridor from Santa Barbara through Thousand Oaks and into the heart of the metropolitan region. Significant federal and environmental footprints are visible, including the Edwards Air Force Base and the Flight Test Center (NASA) in the Mojave Desert, alongside conservation efforts like the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. The complex interplay of geography is shown through the depths of the Santa Barbara Channel and the heights of the San Gabriel Mountains, while the Southern Pacific railroad and major freeway systems like the 101 and 405 illustrate the infrastructure supporting the region's massive post-war growth.