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1953 Map of Pentland

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Pentland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Oil Wells and a complex network of pipelines dominate this mid-century landscape in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The industrial footprint of the petroleum industry is evident across Maricopa Flat, where dozens of individual Wells and oil sumps are clustered near the Sunset Railroad and the small settlement of Pentland. In addition to the energy infrastructure, the map documents a major water project with the California Aqueduct shown as it was being built across the terrain.

Transportation and aviation history are preserved through features like Gardner Field, a decommissioned airfield north of San Emidio. The contrast between the flat valley floor and the rising foothills is marked by Santiago Creek and the steep walls of Pioneer Canyon. The transition from older infrastructure, like the Old Grade, to modern developments like the Sunset Highway illustrates the region's mid-century modernization as it balanced agricultural and industrial needs.