1966 Map of Keene

About this map

Southern Pacific tracks wind through the mountains of Kern County, following the natural course of Tehachapi Creek through a series of dramatic engineering feats. The most significant of these is The Loop at Walong, where the railway spirals over itself to manage the steep grade. This mid-1960s survey illustrates a landscape of high valleys and rugged peaks, including Black Mountain and the expansive Bear Valley to the south. Local life centers on small rail-aligned settlements like Keene, which features the Keene Sch and Keene PO. To the south, Cummings Valley and Brite Valley show a shift toward agricultural and ranching land, connected by the Bear Valley Road. Numerous water sources, such as Clear Creek and various Springs, are noted across the terrain, alongside infrastructure like a major Pipeline crossing the valleys.