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1952 Map of Val Verde

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Val Verde
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Oak Canyon Oil Field and the surrounding energy landscape dominate this 1952 topographic study of the Santa Clara River Valley, updated with 1969 revisions. The map captures a critical era of petroleum extraction in Los Angeles County, showing the dense network of Oil Wells and tanks across the Castaic Hills Oil Field and Newhall Potrero Oil Field. The town of Val Verde is depicted alongside the Southern Pacific rail line, which served industrial interests like the Del Valle Oil and Gas Field.

Water management infrastructure is prominent, notably the Santa Felicia Dam and the northern reaches of Lake Piru. The map also preserves the locations of significant private holdings, including Hathaway Ranch, Lechler Ranch, and Black Ranch, offering a look at the transition from traditional ranching to an industrial economy. The rugged terrain of the Santa Susana Mountains and Oak Ridge provides a stark backdrop to the developed river corridors and canyons.