1954 Map of Antelope Plain

About this map

Industrial extraction dominates the landscape of the western San Joaquin Valley in this mid-century survey. The Lost Hills rise sharply from the flat Antelope Plain, defined by a dense concentration of Oil Wells, storage infrastructure like Oil Tanks, and a system of sumps. This topography reveals the extensive development of the South Belridge and Lost Hills oil fields during California's post-war energy boom. Beyond petroleum, the map details an active surface mining industry with numerous Gypsum Quarries and an isolated Gypsum Quarry carved into the hillsides. The infrastructure of water management is also prominent, with multiple Water Tanks and wells scattered across the plain, supporting the resource-heavy operations in this arid environment.