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California Oil Railroad Map

A highly detailed, meticulously rendered oil-related railroad map by the Chief Engineer of the Sunset Railway, showing the line between Pentland and Shale. The map shows oil pipelines along the route and numerous oil company spur lines. It is heavily annotated in pencil with technical specifications and other notes. While the map is dated July 7, 1912, many of the additions are dated later.

Though a technical drawing, the subtle use of outline color juxtaposed with densely packed (though extremely neat) hand-written specifications and notes present a visually compelling display.   

Sunset Railroad

Built between 1901 and 1908, Sunset Railroad extended from Bakersfield to Taft, primarily to transport oil in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley. Part of its track was laid over a former narrow-gauge line, the Buena Vista Reservoir Railroad. The Pentland to Maricopa spur was abandoned in 1960, and the Shale to San Emidio line became inactive in 1976, with its track removed later. The section out of Bakersfield remains operational under the San Joaquin Valley Railroad, a Rail America subsidiary.

The present map includes numerous references to oil companies, easements, hamlets and other sites and features:

• Consolidated Midway Oil Co.
• Wellman Oil Co.
• L.F. Lucey Co.
• Kern Trading and Oil Co. Spur
• Hawaiian Oil Co. Spur
• Chanslor-Canfield Midway Oil Co. 1100' Spur
• Acquired from U.S. Filing Map per Wm. Hood's letter of 11/5 - 1912
• Vernette
• Fellows
• Midoil
• Note: Vernette changed to Fellow per Gen. Sup. Circ. No. 151, 5-16-12. Fellow changed to Fellows...Fellows changed to Verdette and Fellows moved to old location
• Note (pencil): Deed, dated 5/22 - 1912, from The Hawaiian Oil Co. to the Sunset Western R'y. Co. Strip 50 ft. wide, 25 ft. on each side of centerline of R'y across S.W. 1/4 of N.W. 1/4 of Sec. 31 S., T. 31 S., R. 23 E. M. D.M. Area O.68 acres. Grant deed reserving all gas, oil, or other minerals contained beneath the surface, together with a right of way for the extraction and disposition of same. Also 2nd party agrees to construct and maintain surface crossings, not to exceed not to exceed two in number, etc.

Rarity

Unique manuscript maps of California oil-related railroads are rare in the market.