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1939 Map of Mt. Lowe

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Mt. Lowe
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1939
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1939

About this map

The San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles are captured here in a 1930s era of intense recreation and mountain tourism. This survey highlights the complex engineering of the Pacific Electric rail system, including the Cable Incline that transported visitors up to Echo Mountain and the famed Mt Lowe Tavern. The map reveals a landscape managed for both public utility and retreat, featuring the La Vina Sanatorium and several fire prevention outposts like the Waterman Guard Station and Sunset Ridge Guard Station.

Transit through the canyons is defined by the winding Angelles Crest Highway and a network of firebreaks protecting the Angeles National Forest. Named canyon settlements such as Switzers Camp and Oakwilde illustrate the historical popularity of these peaks for local residents seeking relief from the valley below, while the Los Angeles Schools Forestry Center points to early educational initiatives in the region's natural resources.