1951 Map of Santa Paula Peak

About this map

Santa Paula Ridge and the Sulphur Mountain foothills dominate this mid-century landscape of northern Ventura County. The 1951 field data illustrates an economy rooted in both resource extraction and rugged recreational use, with numerous Oil Wells and a Quarry located south of the Los Padres National Forest boundary. Water management is a visible priority, evidenced by the Gaging Sta along Santa Paula Canyon and several Water Tanks scattered through the canyons. Notable local landmarks include Mupu School near the southern boundary and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary to the north. These settlements and ranching outposts like Ferndale Ranch and Howell Place show the footprint of local families before late-20th-century urban expansion. The presence of Ex Mission San Buenaventura boundary lines highlights the region's deeper Spanish colonial history and land grant divisions.