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1943 Map of Pyramid Hills

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Pyramid Hills
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1943
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1943

About this map

The McClure Valley and the Kettleman Plain dominate this 1940s landscape, illustrating the intersection of California's agricultural expansion and early oil industry. The boundary between Kings and Kern counties bisects the terrain, which is defined by the sharp rise of the Pyramid Hills and the Tent Hills. Human settlement is sparse, centered around the Orchard Ranch and the home of A M Barker, suggesting a region where ranching and resource extraction were the primary drivers of development.

Energy infrastructure is notably present through specialized landmarks such as the Union Oil Co. Dudley Station Stack and the McClure Valley Waterwell Derrick. These markers, along with the Dudley Pump Station, indicate the vital role of water management and petroleum transport in this arid environment. Transportation is anchored by Lemoore Road, which cuts across the valley floor to connect these isolated industrial and agricultural outposts near Dagany Gap.