1932 Map of Mouth of Kern

About this map

Industrial development and large-scale water management dominate the landscape at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. The vast Buena Vista Lake Bed is a central feature, managed by the Inlet Canal and Outlet Canal which regulate the flow of the Kern River. This area represents a critical intersection of California's early 20th-century energy and agricultural infrastructure. To the north and west, the Elk Hills and Buena Vista Hills host the Naval Petroleum Reserve No 1 and Naval Petroleum Reserve No 2, reflecting the strategic importance of this oil-rich territory. The presence of corporate facilities like the Honolulu Oil Co Water Pumping Sta and the Richfield Oil Co alongside the Old Gun Club illustrates the dual nature of the terrain as both a resource extraction hub and a site for recreational land use.