Ord’s first map of the city of Los Angeles
This first survey map of downtown Los Angeles was commissioned by city leaders to demonstrate the division of land for future development and sales. It was drawn in 1849, one year after the end of the U.S. War with Mexico when the United States absorbed 40 percent of Mexico, including the present-day states of Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California. Mexicans living in the annexed territories (including Californios) were guaranteed were guaranteed civil and land rights under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, but commissioned maps often set terms of land transfers that ignored the rights of the Californios.
The Ord map shows natural landmarks like trees and rivers, which Californios used to mark the boundaries of their land. In the eastern section of the map, it also shows land developed for agriculture, emphasizing the importance of food in the culture and future of the city.
Ord’s first map of the city of Los Angeles, drawn in August 29, 1849
Charles C. Pierce, The E.O.C. Ord’s first map of the city of Los Angeles, drawn in August 29, 1849. Courtesy of the California Historical Society Collection, USC Digital Library, University of Southern California.