1923 Map of Monocline Ridge

About this map

Monocline Ridge dominates the landscape in this early 1920s survey of Fresno County, where the sharp transition from the central valley floor to the uplifted Tumey Hills is captured in fine topographic detail. The terrain is defined by the drainage of Tumey Gulch, a seasonal watercourse that cuts through the ridgeline. Cultural features are sparse, reflecting the rural character of the era, yet significant landmarks like the Tumey Gulch School indicate a small, established community of ranching or farming families in the foothills. The presence of an Oil Pumping Station on the lower plains suggests the early industrial footprint of California's petroleum industry as it expanded across the San Joaquin Valley. This 1:31,680 scale map provides a much more granular view of the local topography than the earlier 1908-1911 Panoche quadrangle from which this specific area was derived.