1953 Map of Pasadena

About this map

Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Rose Bowl anchor this mid-century survey of the northern Los Angeles basin. The transition from the developed suburban grid of Pasadena and Glendale into the steep San Gabriel Mountains is strikingly documented. While established institutions like the Calif Institute of Technology and Occidental College define the urban culture, the map also captures the fringe of the Angeles National Forest, where canyon settlements like Briggs Terrace and Paradise Canyon meet protected lands. Cultural landmarks such as Busch Gardens and Forest Lawn Memorial Park appear alongside numerous schools and colleges, reflecting the post-war educational and residential expansion in neighborhoods like Altadena, La Canada, and Flintridge.