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Description

One of the Earliest Surviving Maps of Long Beach

Early 20th Century Map of Long Beach, published by as a promotional map for The National Bank of Long Beach, "the Oldest Bank in Long Beach."

The map provides a fine early look at Long Beach, with the Long Beach Brick Yard at the center of the map.

The map is also of note as it pre-dates the discovery of oil in Long Beach in early 1920s.  Much of the area shown at the top of the map would be dominated by oil drillers within a decade after the publication of this map.

E.P. Dewey served in the first decade of the 20th century as the Assistant City Engineer and City Engineer for Long Beach.   

This is one of the earliest printed maps of Long Beach. OCLC locates only one earlier map, 13 x 11 inch map of Long Beach by Charles I Goucher, issued by the Long Beach Development Company.

Long Beach

The map was published 13 years prior to the incorporation of the city in 1897.   Prior to 1897, the area had been known a Rancho Los Cerritos and had been primarily used to raise sheep.  In the 18970s, as many a 30,000 sheep occupied the area. 

In 1880, William E. Willmore purchased and subdivided 4,000 acres, planning a farming community called Willmore City.  Following the failure of Willmore City, the Long Beach Land and Water Company purchased the land and changed the community name to Long Beach, establishing a seaside resort and agricultural community.

Rarity

The map is apparently unrecorded.

 We note a copyright for an E.P. Dewey wall map of Long Beach (119 x 177 inches), datged December 1, 1910. 

Condition Description
Minor discoloration near title and minor loss at fold intersections.