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1969 Map of Alcalde Hills

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Alcalde Hills
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

The Alcalde Hills form a rugged topographic barrier between the agricultural expanses of Coalinga Valley and the western drainages of Fresno County. In the late 1960s, this landscape was defined by an intricate network of deep canyons and water sources, including Coyote Canyon, Nunez Canyon, and Coalmine Canyon. The terrain rises sharply to Juniper Ridge and the Post landmark, while lower elevations near Oak Flat show the sparse evidence of human habitation such as Sprague Cabin.

Resource extraction and water management are the primary drivers of human activity here. A dense cluster of Oil Wells, Oil Sumps, and a Pumping Station dominate the eastern edge near Derrick Avenue, where the hills meet the floor of Pleasant Valley. Numerous developed water points like Indian Springs and Mills Spring highlight the critical role of water for livestock and industry in this arid Mediterranean climate.