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1954 Map of Stevens

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Stevens
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

The Kern River and its intricate network of irrigation and industry dominate this Central Valley landscape, characterized by the intense development of the petroleum industry during the mid-20th century. Named settlements like Stevens and Ten Section are situated within a landscape defined more by extraction and water management than traditional residential growth. Large industrial zones such as the Strand Oil Field and the Bellevue Oil Field are clearly demarcated, showing the density of wells and storage tanks that fueled the local economy.

Transport and education remain vital anchors for the rural population here. The Southern Pacific railroad tracks and arterial routes like Taft Highway provide the essential logistics for moving resources, while the Buena Vista Sch near Canfield Ranch represents the community core. This mapping reveals the transformation of the valley floor, where Goose Lake Slough and various canals cut through a topography primarily organized for oil production and agricultural irrigation.