1963 Map of La Cima

About this map

Oil and Gas Field operations dominate this stretch of the Kettleman Hills in the early 1960s, showing a landscape defined by industrial development and water infrastructure. The massive California Aqueduct cuts diagonally through the terrain, passing near the small settlement of Murray and the Kettleman Compressor Station. The complex geography of the North Dome is revealed through numerous ridges and summits like Cerro Lodoso and Double Hill, while the Kettleman Plain provides a flatter contrast to the south. This survey captures a specific era of intensive resource extraction and civil engineering, evidenced by the dense network of pipelines and service roads like Skyline Blvd that service the hills. Cultural landmarks such as the Murray Fire Control Station and Booster Station sit among named arroyos like Arroyo Largo and Arroyo Honda, highlighting the intersection of industrial utility and the natural drainage patterns of the Central Valley edge.