1959 Map of Santa Ana

About this map

The Santa Ana Mountains and the Coachella Valley anchor this mid-century look at the Southern California interior, showing the rapid expansion of the Los Angeles basin toward the desert. Extensive coastal development stretches from Newport Beach down to San Clemente, while the inland is defined by massive federal and state holdings. Large military installations like Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base and March Air Force Base occupy significant territory alongside the Cleveland National Forest. The map documents the vital water infrastructure of the region, including the Santa Ana River, Lake Elsinore, and the western reaches of the Salton Sea. Long-distance transportation corridors, such as the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe RR and the Santa Ana Fwy, illustrate the connective tissue between booming suburban centers and the arid landscapes of Joshua Tree National Monument.