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1939 Map of Mt. Wilson

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Mt. Wilson
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1948
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1948

About this map

The Mt Wilson Observatory crowns the peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains in this survey based on fieldwork from the early 1930s. The landscape is defined by the high-elevation crests of San Gabriel Peak, Mt Harvard, and Mt Markham, where a network of firebreaks and the Vetter Mtn Lookout emphasize the vital fire suppression infrastructure within the Angeles National Forest.

Deep in the canyons, a distinct culture of mountain camps and lodges is visible, providing a snapshot of early 20th-century recreation. Locations like Opids Camp, Valley Forge Lodge, and Sturtevant Camp are connected by rugged trails and the emerging Angelus Crest Highway. Water features such as the West Fork San Gabriel River and the dramatic Sturtevant Falls draw the eye toward the drainage of Santa Anita Creek, illustrating the area's transition from a remote wilderness to an accessible retreat for the growing Los Angeles basin.