1906 Map of Bakersfield

About this map

Bakersfield sits at the edge of a rapidly industrializing landscape during the early 1900s, where the convergence of rail lines and early petroleum development shaped the San Joaquin Valley. This survey documents the proliferation of oil-related settlements like Oil City and Oil Center, situated just north of the Kern River. The complex web of irrigation infrastructure, including the Kern Island Canal and Beardsley Irrigation Canal, illustrates the parallel growth of intensive agriculture alongside the energy boom. To the north, the terrain transitions into more rugged canyons and landmarks like Mon Bluff and Round Mtn, where remnants of frontier transit are still visible at the Stage Station. The presence of the Fullers Earth Mine in Granite Canyon further highlights the diverse extractive industries active in Kern County during this era.