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1952 Map of Topanga

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Topanga
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Santa Monica Mountains dominate this 1952 topographic study, where steep ridgelines like Henry Ridge and deep ravines like Temescal Canyon define the landscape before the heavy post-war suburban expansion. In the canyon bottoms, small settlements such as Topanga and Fernwood represent the rural character of the era, long before these areas were fully integrated into the greater Los Angeles metropolitan fabric. Along the coast, the planned community of Pacific Palisades begins to take shape, showing established landmarks like Corpus Christi Sch and Roosevelt Sch.

The transition from the wild hills of Boca De Santa Monica to the structured coastline is evident at Will Rogers State Park, where the Polo Field and Conference Grounds are clearly marked. The map details the early road networks that made these heights accessible, including Topanga Canyon Blvd and Old Topanga Canyon Road, winding past Trippet Ranch and numerous water tanks essential for hilltop living. To the southeast, the residential blocks of Santa Monica and the winding roads of Riviera provide a sharp contrast to the undeveloped canyons of Rustic Canyon and Sullivan Canyon.