Automobile Road Map of Los Angeles County

Detailed map of Los Angeles County issued by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC) was established in Los Angeles in 1900 as one of the nation’s first public organizations dedicated to improving conditions for the growing number of motorists. It predated the organization of the American Automobile Association (AAA) by two years and, as early as 1906, began sending teams of cartographers to chart the road network across California (and erect road signs). The subsequent maps and guides were instrumental in promoting motor tourism during the early 20th century and provide a fascinating contemporary snapshot of towns and transportation networks.

This detailed road map of Los Angeles County was published by the ACSC around 1920, based on the absence of the Hollywood Bowl and Mulholland Drive. A comprehensive key in the lower right identifies nearly 40 different lines and symbols used to denote transportation routes, geographic features, boundaries, and locations of interest across the page. Topography is depicted with simple hachures, reflecting the rugged and unpopulated areas along the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains.

Lowlands are also shown, in particular the despicably named ‘Nigger Slough’ south of Compton and Gardena (removed on subsequent editions of the map). The verso features an exhaustive index noting the locations of towns, roads, auto camps, natural features, resorts, country clubs, oil fields, and schools.

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