1950 Map of Maricopa

About this map

Oil Wells and industrial infrastructure dominate the terrain around Maricopa at the southern edge of the San Joaquin Valley. This mid-century landscape is defined by the extraction economy of the Midway Valley, featuring the Norwalk Oil Refinery, a Gas Plant, and the extensive tracks of the Sunset Railroad. These industrial sites sit in sharp contrast to the western topography, where the Elkhorn Plain and Beam Flat transition into the sharp descents of Devils Gulch. Significant water infrastructure, including the California Aqueduct and the Bitterwater Spring, highlights the critical role of resource management in this arid environment. The map captures the small settlements of Hazelton and Kerto, along with local landmarks like Capitol Park and several landing strips, providing a clear view of the regional layout before later 20th-century developments altered the footprint of these oil-field communities.