1950 Map of Mouth of Kern

About this map

Elk Hills and the expansive Buena Vista Lake Bed dominate this industrial and agricultural landscape of Kern County. At mid-century, the region's economy is clearly defined by heavy petroleum extraction and water management. The map documents the extensive footprint of Naval Petroleum Reserve No 1 and Naval Petroleum Reserve No 2, alongside the South Coles Levee Oil Field. Infrastructure like the Richfield Oil Pumping Station BM 318 and the Southern Calif Gas Compressor Station highlights the scale of energy production. An Approximate Old Shoreline traces the historical edge of the lake bed, which by 1950 is crisscrossed by an Irrigation Ditch network, an Inlet Canal, and an Outlet Canal. These features illustrate the transformation of natural basins into managed resources, while Pelican Island remains a distinct topographical landmark within the dry lake bed.