1953 Map of Kettleman Plain

About this map

The industrial and agricultural landscape of Kings County is defined here by the extensive oil production infrastructure across the Kettleman Hills. By the early 1950s, numerous Oil Wells and a complex network of pipelines crossed the terrain, centered around the North Dome and the prominent Skyline Road. In the valley below, Kettleman Plain transitions into the steep slopes of Reef Ridge to the south. Small outposts such as Reef Station and El Mirador mark the intersections of the era's desert roads, while seasonal drainages like Arroyo Delgado and Arroyo Estrada carve through the sedimentary ridges. The map reveals the mid-century petroleum economy, documenting the placement of a Pumping Station and a Landing Strip alongside named landmarks like Bullwheel Ridge and Cerro Ultimo.