1943 Map of Shale Point

About this map

The Temblor Range defines the western edge of this 1943 survey, dropping sharply into the wide expanse of the Antelope Valley. The landscape is dominated by large-scale ranching and early petroleum exploration, evidenced by the presence of C Twisselmann Ranch and the USC & GS Shale Point Standard Oil Co marker. These features suggest an era where the rugged terrain of western Kern County was being systematically surveyed for resource extraction while maintaining established pastoral holdings. Ephemeral drainage systems like Bitterwater Creek and Devilwater Creek cut through the foothills, illustrating the arid character of the Antelope Plain before modern water management transformed the region. The map provides a precise record of these family-named landmarks and surveying stations during the mobilization of the early 1940s.