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1954 Map of Lokern

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Lokern
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Agricultural development and water management define this Central Valley landscape, where an intricate network of ditches and canals redirects water across the arid terrain. The West Side Flood Canal and Main Drain Canal run alongside family-named routes such as Vlasnik Road and Dargatz Road, illustrating the mid-century transformation of Kern County's desert into productive farmland. The Southern Pacific railroad provides the primary industrial spine, supporting operations at the Lokern Pumping Sta and the small settlement of Lokern.

To the east, the map reveals specific cultural landmarks like Corn Camp and the Eightfoot Ditch (Buttonwillow) near the base of Buttonwillow Ridge. These features, alongside numerous siphons, reservoirs, and oil tanks, highlight the region's dual reliance on irrigation and the burgeoning petroleum industry. The presence of the Kern River at the southern edge anchors the drainage system, while the grid of the Lerdo Highway and Seventh Standard Road organizes the vast, flat expanse for large-scale cultivation.