1936 Map of Dudley Ridge

About this map

The Tulare Lake Bed dominates the northern landscape of this Kings County survey, revealing the reclamation efforts and agricultural engineering required to manage this once-vast inland sea. The terrain is defined by a sophisticated network of water management features, including the Cohn Levee and Wilbur Levee, which separate the former lake bottom from rising topography to the south. Along the eastern edge, the West Side Ditch and Side Ditch run parallel to the township lines, facilitating the irrigation of large agricultural holdings like Liberty Farms. Settlement in this era is sparse and functional, anchored by Houser Camp near the ditch works. Rising from the flats, the distinct contours of Dudley Ridge provide a topographical contrast to the leveled fields, illustrating the boundary between the reclaimed lake basin and the higher ground of the San Joaquin Valley.