1954 Map of Antelope Plain

About this map

Antelope Plain dominates this landscape in Kern County, revealing a mid-century industrial terrain defined by the extraction of natural resources. The development of the California Aqueduct is a prominent feature, cutting across the northeastern portion of the sheet. This massive water infrastructure project reflects the intensive engineering efforts required to support the region's economy. Extensive clusters of Oil Wells, Oil Tanks, and an Oil Sump concentrated near the Lost Hills indicate the significant scale of the local petroleum industry. Sparse agricultural markers, such as a Windmill and a Ditch, appear alongside these industrial sites, showing the coexistence of ranching or farming with oil production during this era. The map traces the transformation of an arid landscape through both large-scale water diversion and subterranean mineral wealth.