FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-090

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (June 1, 2026) – This edition of Fun with Maps brings back memories of the “Blonde Bombshell”.

Norma Jeane

Born in Los Angeles, worked mostly in Los Angeles, and died in Los Angeles.  But she was bigger than a single town can be.

She starred in multiple movies.  At one point she founded her own movie studio, but eventually returned to 20th Century Fox.  Before all that she worked in a factory during World War II.  At the factory a photographer ”discovered” her.  Eventually, while a big movie star, she posed nude for Playboy’s first issue at age 27.

She was married three times, each ending in a divorce.  First came a police officer when she was 16, then a retired baseball player and finally a playwright.

She lived life fast and furious.  Elton John’s Candle in the Wind song summed her up well.  Most of you guessed already who she is.  Marilyn Monroe was born 100 years ago, on June 1, 1926.

This map of Los Angeles by Aldridge is from 1935.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.