1972 Map of Oiler Peak

About this map

Caliente and the nearby stop at Bealville serve as central points in this terrain defined by steep canyons and historical transit routes in Kern County. The map documents an era when the landscape was heavily influenced by ranching and regional transit, evidenced by features like the Caliente Teamster Cutoff and the winding Tollhouse Grade. These routes connected the lower basins to the high points of the Tehachapi Mountains, including Oiler Peak and the surrounding Centennial ridge. Water sources are meticulously noted, from the Gaging Station on Caliente Creek to numerous named springs such as Aunt Rosa Mines Spr and Poison Oak Spring, highlighting the critical importance of water management in this arid environment. The presence of a Fig Orchard and various cattle-related landmarks like Fence Camp Flat suggests a landscape dedicated to agriculture and livestock before modern suburban expansion reached these slopes.