Antique Map of Long Beach, California from 1913

A Beautifully Detailed Cartographic Portrait of California’s Coastal Gem

The Antique Map of Long Beach, California from 1913 offers a fascinating glimpse into a city poised between its early seaside origins and the dawn of modern Southern California. This restored archival reproduction, originally known as Thurston’s Tourist’s and Merchant’s Delivery Map of Long Beach, California, invites the viewer to wander through the streets, avenues, and beachfronts that shaped one of the Pacific Coast’s most beloved communities.

Every line tells a story: the meticulous grid of neighborhoods, the fine tracery of trolley routes in red, and the delicate border noting local merchants and landmarks that once animated the town. This antique map is both a historical artifact and a work of design — a celebration of early 20th-century craftsmanship that combined precision, typography, and artistry into a single, harmonious form.

At first glance, the Antique Map of Long Beach evokes the elegance of Vintage Coastal décor — sun-washed tones, ocean breezes, and a sense of easy sophistication. The soft parchment ivory of the paper, accented by crisp black linework and subtle crimson markings, mirrors the refined simplicity of an era when design valued both function and beauty. Framed against dark wood or displayed in a bright, minimalist setting, it creates a captivating focal point that feels timeless yet full of life.

Each reproduction is created with exacting attention to detail, preserving the intricate character of the original map while ensuring clarity and durability for contemporary interiors. Printed using archival pigment inks on museum-quality matte paper or polycotton canvas, this piece is designed to last for generations. Framed editions are handcrafted from solid hardwood and hand-finished in deep walnut or satin black, complemented by protective acrylic glazing. For those who prefer an unframed presentation, the paper edition showcases the purity of the artwork with an understated elegance.

Beyond its aesthetic grace, this map serves as a living document of Long Beach’s early history — a time when the city was celebrated for its beaches, boardwalks, and as a flourishing port of opportunity. One can almost imagine the salty breeze drifting through open windows, the hum of early automobiles along Ocean Avenue, and the sight of fishermen casting lines from the old pier. The advertisements along the border — for grocers, lumber dealers, and print shops — remind us that this was not merely a map for navigation but a reflection of daily life, community, and commerce.

Displaying the Antique Map of Long Beach is more than decorating a wall; it is curating a piece of history. Whether showcased in a coastal home, an urban loft, or a professional office, it exudes a refined sense of heritage and nostalgia. For collectors, it is a rare and authentic artifact of California’s coastal development; for dreamers, it offers a window into a world where life moved at the rhythm of the tides and the promise of the Pacific stretched endlessly beyond the horizon.

As a gift, it speaks to those who cherish place and memory — the historian, the traveler, the Californian at heart. It’s an heirloom that carries with it both artistic beauty and emotional resonance. The restoration process honors every nuance of the original engraving, from the elegant compass rose to the precise grid of city streets. Each detail invites reflection — not simply on how the city has grown, but on how history itself is drawn, one careful line at a time.

Design Features

• Faithful reproduction of Thurston’s Tourist’s and Merchant’s Delivery Map of Long Beach, California (1913)

• Hand-restored archival detailing preserving original type, grid, and annotations

• Optional solid hardwood frame with protective acrylic glazing

• Available on fine matte paper or polycotton canvas

Color Palette

• Aged parchment ivory

• Charcoal-black street grid

• Accents of deep crimson for delivery routes

• Subtle sepia undertones

Condition Notes

• Newly produced archival reproduction from a 1913 original

• Minor tonal and textural variations enhance authenticity

• Framed editions handcrafted with museum-grade standards

Origin & Construction

• Original map published in Long Beach, California, 1913

• Digitally restored and printed in the USA using archival pigment inks

• Frames made from sustainably sourced hardwood

Dimensions

• Available in multiple standard sizes (example: 24" × 36")