1936 Map of Antelope Plain

About this map

The Lost Hills rise sharply from the floor of the Antelope Plain in this 1932 topographic survey of western Kern County. The landscape is defined by the stark contrast between the low-lying plain and the complex contour lines of the hills, where the elevation changes reveal the geologic structure that would become central to California's petroleum industry. Mapping of this area was completed under the direction of Edward Hyatt, State Engineer, and Governor Frank F. Merriam. While the terrain appears largely unsettled, a solitary Well is marked near the center of the sheet, signaling the early exploration and resource development taking place in this part of the San Joaquin Valley. This map provides a clear view of the natural topography before the extensive industrialization and road networks of the mid-20th century transformed the region.