1953 Map of Riverside East

About this map

The sprawling campus of the University of California at Riverside and the strategic expanse of March Air Force Base define the Inland Empire landscape in the early 1950s. The city of Riverside exhibits a mix of dense residential blocks and emerging suburban developments such as Canyon Crest Heights and Belvedere Heights. The topographic contrast is sharp between the urban grid and the prominent peaks of the Box Springs Mountains, where Sugarloaf Mtn and Pigeon Pass dominate the eastern horizon. Military and civil aviation infrastructure are highly visible, including the March Field Radio Range Station and various radio towers. Rail history is preserved through the routes of the Pacific Electric, Southern Pacific, and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe, which navigate the rugged corridors of Box Springs Canyon Blvd and the southern Valley.