1935 Map of Oildale

About this map

Bakersfield and the neighboring community of Oildale are depicted at a pivotal moment of development in the southern San Joaquin Valley. This mid-1930s landscape is defined by the rigid grid of oil industry infrastructure and agricultural irrigation, visible in the extensive network of the Lerdo Canal, Calloway Canal, and Kern Canal. The map reveals the intersection of major transport routes, where the Southern Pacific and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroads meet the Golden State Highway. Strategic landmarks such as the Kern County Landing Field and the Oil Junction settlement highlight the area's role as a regional hub for both energy production and aviation. Local education is anchored by rural institutions like Norris Sch and Fruitdale Sch, providing key reference points for genealogists researching family history in early Kern County.