1954 Map of West Elk Hills

About this map

Industrial energy infrastructure dominates this landscape within the Naval Petroleum Reserve No 1, where the complex network of pipelines, Oil Wells, and Oil Sumps reflects the mid-century intensification of California's oil production. The terrain is defined by the broad McKittrick Valley and Midway Valley, providing a corridor for the Southern Pacific railroad and the winding Skyline Road. Settlements like McKittrick and Derby Acres serve as hubs for the surrounding workforce, while landmarks such as the Lokern Pumping Station and various Oil Tanks mark the points of extraction and transport.