1928 Map of Sylmar

About this map

Sylmar and the surrounding northern Los Angeles foothills are captured here in the late 1920s, showing a landscape defined by the historical boundaries of the Ex Mission San Fernando. The presence of the Olive View Sanatorium and the El Retiro School for Girls reflects the specialized institutions that sought the area's elevation and open space during this era. Infrastructure plays a prominent role, with the Southern Pacific railroad cutting through the valley floor and the Upper San Fernando Reservoir tucked against the hills, supported by a nearby Power House. The map details the early suburban layout through thoroughfares like Yarnell Ave and Roxford Ave, while the northern edge remains largely undeveloped within the Angeles National Forest. Natural features like Grapevine Canyon and the Pacoima Wash provide clear markers of the rugged terrain that shaped the growth of the City of Los Angeles in this region.