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1944 Map of Santa Barbara

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Santa Barbara
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Santa Barbara is depicted during the peak of World War II, revealing a coastal city defined by its historic architecture and wartime infrastructure. The presence of the Hoff General Hospital (Army) and the sprawling Mesa Oil Field highlights the era's critical medical and industrial needs. Traditional landmarks such as the Santa Barbara Mission and Stearns Wharf anchor the downtown grid, which is bordered by the Southern Pacific railroad line.

The landscape transitions sharply from the developed shores of West Beach and East Beach to the steep slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Above the city, the Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Ynez Game Refuge cover the northern heights, including La Cumbre Peak. To the east, the affluent enclave of Montecito is shown tucked between the mountains and the Santa Barbara Channel, while the Santa Barbara Lighthouse watches over the point.