1944 Map of Margarita Peak

About this map

The Santa Margarita Mountains dominate the landscape of this 1944 War Department survey, which captures the rugged coastal backcountry of San Diego and Riverside counties during the Second World War. The topography is defined by a series of deep canyons, including San Mateo Canyon and San Onofre Canyon, which carve through the Cleveland National Forest toward the Pacific Ocean. Notable for its depiction of early Southern California ranching culture, the map identifies numerous family holdings such as the Johnson Ranch, Merchant Ranch, and the expansive Rancho Santa Margarita. Transport infrastructure of the era is anchored by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which follows the coastline through Las Flores and turns inland toward Fallbrook. This map provides a clear record of the transition between high mountain lookouts like Margarita LO and the river valley settlements along the San Luis Rey River.