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1959 Map of Simmler

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Simmler
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

The Temblor Range divides the landscape into two distinct industrial and ecological zones at the boundary of Kern and San Luis Obispo counties. To the west lies the broad, arid expanse of the Carrizo Plain, characterized by the massive alkali basin of Soda Lake and the small settlement of Simmler with its Community Hall. This area is marked by ranching outposts like Las Yeguas Ranch and Ross Ranch, while the Goodwin Ranch Airport provides a remote point of access.

East of the range, the terrain shifts abruptly toward California's petroleum industry. Extensive drilling operations are documented throughout the Cymric Oil Field, South Belridge Oil Field, and the Chico Martinez Oil Field. Numerous springs, such as Carneros Spring and Wygal Spring, dot the canyons of the Temblor Range, indicating the vital water sources that supported early cattle ranching before the intensive oil development of the mid-20th century.