1954 Map of East Elk Hills

About this map

Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1 dominates the southern landscape of this Kern County region, revealing a dense industrial network of oil tanks and extraction infrastructure through the Elk Hills. This mid-century survey illustrates the vital intersection of petroleum interests and agricultural irrigation in the Central Valley. To the north, a complex web of water management features like the Mirasol Canal, Eightyfoot Ditch, and the Kern River Flood Canal support the surrounding plains. The 1970s revisions highlight the introduction of the California Aqueduct, which cuts across the map near the Poplar Grove Ranch. Local history details include the Button Willow-Kern County Airfield and the remote outpost at Camp 36-R, providing a clear record of the area's development from the late 1920s through the postwar era.