1954 Map of Edison

About this map

The Edison Oil Field and Mtn View Oil Field dominate this mid-century landscape of Kern County, where petroleum extraction and agricultural enterprise exist side-by-side. The settlement of Edison sits along the Southern Pacific tracks, while to the south, the extensive operations of Di Giorgio are supported by a network of specialized labor sites like Camp 10 A, Camp 10 B, and Camp 8. This proximity of a large Winery to the dense derricks of the Racetrack Field illustrates the dual economic drivers of the Central Valley during the 1950s. The terrain is marked by numerous reservoirs and a complex grid of roads including Comanche Drive and Tejon Road, which facilitated the movement of both crude oil and farm produce. Caliente Creek cuts through the eastern portion of the survey, providing a natural drainage point in an otherwise heavily engineered landscape defined by canals, levees, and pipelines.