1954 Map of West Elk Hills

About this map

Naval Petroleum Reserve No 1 and Naval Petroleum Reserve No 2 dominate this industrial landscape in Kern County, illustrating the strategic importance of this oil-producing region. The 1954 data, updated with 1973 revisions, reveals an extensive network of oil wells, tanks, and sumps concentrated around McKittrick and Derby Acres. The topography is defined by the sharp transition from the elevated Elk Hills down into the McKittrick Valley and Buena Vista Valley. Water management infrastructure is prominent along the northern margin, where the California Aqueduquct and Kern R Flood Canal cut across the arid terrain near the Lokern Pumping Station. Transportation history is preserved through labels for the Old Railroad Grade and the winding Skyline Road, which provide a record of the logistical routes developed to service the surrounding energy fields and the community of Derby Acres.