1933 Map of Bear Mountain

About this map

Governor James Rolph, Jr. and the State of California cooperated with federal surveyors to produce this detailed study of the southwestern Kern County highlands. The terrain is dominated by the steep slopes of El Tejon, where the map meticulously records the winding ascent of Bear Mountain Boulevard. This roadway serves as a critical link in the region's early automotive infrastructure, connecting travelers moving between Bakersfield, Arvin, and Tehachapi. The drainage of Sycamore Canyon cuts deeply into the southern portion of the range, illustrating the complex topography that dictated the placement of early mountain routes. Because this specific 1933 edition focuses on a narrow corridor of development, much of the sheet remains open, highlighting the relative isolation of these ridges before mid-century expansion.