Loading map...

1963 Map of La Cima

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of La Cima
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The Kettleman North Dome Oil and Gas Field dominates this 1963 landscape, revealing an intensive industrial infrastructure of pipelines, sumps, and substations concentrated along the ridges. The terrain is defined by the corrugated spurs of the Kettleman Hills, where dozens of Spanish-named features like El Serrijon, La Cuesta, and El Tolete line the complex topography. To the north and west, the dramatic shift to the flat Kettleman Plain is marked by a rigid grid of agricultural avenues, including Firestone Ave and Plymouth Ave.

Evidence of mid-century utility and petroleum operations is visible at the Kettleman Compressor Sta and the Fire Control Sta. Small worker settlements or company outposts like Murray, Hydril, and Los Jinetes appear alongside specialized landmarks such as a remote Landing Strip. The map captures the region before extensive modern expansion, showing the vital role of water management through a major Aqueduct and numerous dry arroyos like Arroyo Hondo.