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Description

Fine and rare map of the Coalinga Oil Field, showing an incredible amount of detail including the extent of plots and landowner names. Also shown are oil wells (abandoned, under development, and drilled), water wells, oil tanks, and oil pipelines. The map was produced in 1910 by Edward Denny & Co.

The map shows the region around Coalinga in the Central Valley, along with the course of the Los Gatos and Jacalitos Creeks. The map appears to be based on a standard, publicly available source, as it appears to have the same information as several other contemporary maps of the oil field.

The oil industry in California in 1910 already had a long history, with the La Brea tar pits having been used by Native Americans since pre-Spanish times. The 1860s would see the development of profitable drilling operations, with the Ojai Basin and the Pico Canyon Oilfields being exploited first. However, the development of oil reserves was limited to the coastal regions until 1899 when a discovery on the Kern River near Bakersfield reoriented the industry. This new oilfield quickly dominated Californian production and would allow the state to lead in U.S. oil production. The first decade of the 20th century, when this pamphlet was published, would see wild speculation and unsuccessful attempts at federal regulation.

Edward Denny & Co. were Bay Area map publishers who specialized in publishing regional and county maps of California.

Rarity

We have been unable to trace any institutional examples of this map or examples that have traded on the market.

Condition Description
Cyanotype map on wove paper.