1954 Map of Rosedale

About this map

The Rosedale Oil Field and surrounding petroleum operations dominate this Kern County landscape in the mid-1950s. The map illustrates a highly engineered environment where the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad cuts a diagonal line across a grid of canals and oil infrastructure. While the Friant-Kern Canal and Lerdo Canal suggest the region's agricultural backbone, the concentration of derricks and a Refinery at Greeley highlight the area's mid-century energy boom. Small communities like Rosedale and Lerdo are anchored by local institutions such as Rosedale Church and Greeley Sch, serving the families tied to both the land and the oil industry. Significant landmarks like Shafter Cemetery and the Rosedale Sta provide vital points of reference for genealogists tracking the growth of these Central Valley settlements before the expansion of nearby urban centers.