1953 Map of Lost Hills

About this map

Oil Wells and a dense network of infrastructure dominate this mid-century look at the southern San Joaquin Valley. The landscape is defined by the industrial development around the Lost Hills landform, where numerous extraction sites and Oil Tanks are concentrated west of the main settlement. The map documents a critical period of water management in California history, showing the massive path of the California Aqueduct as it cuts south through the center of the quadrangle. To the east, the Kern River Channel and West Side Flood Canal illustrate the complex hydraulic engineering required to support this arid region's economy. The small community of Lost Hills itself sits at the intersection of Highway 46 and the Lost Hills Airport, serving as a residential hub for the surrounding oil and agricultural operations.