1904 Map of Southern California Sheet No. 2

About this map

San Diego and its surrounding coastal settlements are depicted here as they appeared at the turn of the century, prior to the massive urban expansion of the later 1900s. The coastline is dominated by the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe RR, which connects coastal hubs like Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Encinitas to the growing port at San Diego Bay. Inland, the map reveals a landscape defined by ranching and early irrigation, with prominent water features like the Sweetwater Reservoir and the Lower Otay Reservoir serving the arid valleys. A notable concentration of sovereign lands, including the Pala Indian Res. and Santa Ysabel Indian Res., marks the rugged interior transition toward the Cleveland National Forest. This survey captures the region's early transition from a series of isolated missions and ranchos like San Luis Rey and San Juan Capistrano into a networked rail-and-maritime economy.