1956 Map of Santa Ana

About this map

March Air Force Base and the Camp Haan Mil Res stand as significant military installations during the mid-1950s, anchoring the landscape between the growing citrus hubs and the desert interior. This regional survey captures Southern California during a period of rapid suburbanization and infrastructure expansion, illustrated by the presence of the Colorado River Aqueduct and the San Diego Aqueduct cutting across the terrain. From the coastal developments at Newport Beach and Laguna Beach to the high peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains, the map reveals how water management and defense needs shaped the postwar geography of Orange County and Riverside County. The intricate road network, featuring Us 101 and State 74, connects established settlements like Santa Ana and Riverside with the evolving resort and agricultural areas of the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea.