1954 Map of Antelope Plain

About this map

The Antelope Plain unfolds as a landscape defined by industrial development and water infrastructure in this mid-century survey, which incorporates revisions through the early 1980s. The eastern portion is dominated by the Lost Hills, where a dense concentration of Oil Wells, Oil Tanks, and an Oil Sump reveal the intensity of local petroleum extraction. This industrial activity contrasts with the managed water systems visible across the arid terrain, most notably the California Aqueduct cutting diagonally through the quadrangle with markers like Mile 194 and Mile 195. Smaller-scale infrastructure, including a Windmill, various Water Tanks, and a Water Tank Well, highlights the constant effort to secure water for both industry and livestock. The map provides a precise view of the transition from the open flats of the plain to the resource-rich rising ground of the hills.