1904 Map of Pomona

About this map

The citrus-growing valley and rugged northern peaks of the Angeles National Forest are captured here during a period of rapid rail expansion. Before the modern suburban sprawl, the landscape was defined by the Covina Canal and a complex irrigation Ditch system essential for the surrounding orchards. The regional transportation network is anchored by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific railroads, which facilitated the growth of established citrus hubs like Azusa and Glendora. Smaller, early settlements such as Lordsburg, Alosta, and Spadra appear as distinct townsites before later consolidation. To the north, the steep canyons of the San Gabriel River dominate the terrain, including the isolated Club House near the West Fork San Gabriel River. This survey reveals the transition from a ranching economy toward the specialized agriculture and rail-linked development of the early twentieth century.