1944 Map of San Guillermo

About this map

Los Padres National Forest forms the backdrop for this 1944 topographic survey, which captures the high-country drainages of the Ventura back-country during the Second World War. The terrain is defined by the headwaters of Piru Creek and its many tributaries, including Alamo Creek and Cedar Creek. In the northeastern corner, the map shows the transition from the steep slopes of San Guillermo Mtn into the flatter expanse of Lockwood Valley. This area represents a specific moment in mountain land use, where established holdings like Plush Ranch and recreational sites such as the Three Falls Boy Scout Camp sit alongside deep drainage features like Dry Canyon and Wagon Road Canyon. The intricate contour work, produced by the Forest Service and the Army Corps of Engineers, reveals a landscape primarily used for seasonal grazing, forestry, and youth scouting activities before the post-war expansion of regional infrastructure.