1953 Map of Blackwells Corner

About this map

North Belridge Oil Field dominates this mid-century landscape of the Antelope Plain, revealing a complex industrial network established across the western side of the San Joaquin Valley. The map captures the infrastructure of the California oil boom, with an extensive system of pipelines, oil tanks, and sumps concentrated around the settlement of North Belridge. Geologic features such as the Antelope Hills and the Mc Donald Anti-Cline define the petroleum-rich terrain, while the isolated junction at Blackwells Corner serves as a primary navigation point in the northern section. Industrial development is further evidenced by several facilities supporting the region's resource extraction, including the Carneros Pumping Sta and the Middlewater Pumping Station. The map illustrates how petroleum production dictated the settlement and movement patterns within this arid environment.