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1934 Map of La Cima

Name: 1934 Topographic Map of La Cima
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1934
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1934

About this map

Kettleman North Dome and the surrounding Kettleman Plain define this landscape during the mid-1930s oil boom in Kings County. The map documents a critical era of industrial expansion, centered on petroleum extraction and early energy infrastructure. Central to this development is the Discovery Well, situated near the Standard Oil Camp, illustrating the transition of the region into a major energy-producing hub. The presence of the Pacific Gas and Electric Plant further underscores the area's industrial importance during this period.

Away from the industrial sites, the survey records the local topography and sparse settlement patterns, including the Sunset Sch and the small communities of Murray and Milham City. The rugged terrain is carved by a complex system of seasonal watercourses such as Arroyo Torcido, Arroyo El Perno, and Arroyo El Rascador. These Spanish-named features, like Cerro Lodoso and La Marmita, reflect the deep cultural history of this portion of California before the modern agricultural and industrial footprint fully reshaped the valley floor.