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1954 Map of Oildale

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Oildale
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Kern Front Oil Field and the Kern River Oil Field dominate the landscape north of the Kern River, illustrating the mid-century petroleum industry that fueled the region's growth. The expansion of Oildale is evident, showing residential growth pressing against industrial zones and the County Airport. The map documents a complex irrigation network, with the Lerdo Canal, Beardsley Canal, and Calloway Canal channeling water through the valley to support local agriculture alongside heavy industry.

Rail transport serves as the backbone for these operations, with both the Southern Pacific and the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe lines intersecting at Oil Junction. Further south, the urban grid of Bakersfield begins to take shape, supported by institutions like the County Museum and North High Sch. This survey captures a pivotal moment when the traditional agriculture of places like Fruitvale and Greenacres existed in tandem with a rapidly industrializing oil economy.