Manuscripts
Report of the geology and oil possibilities of the Kettleman Hills, Fresno and King Counties, California
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Oil derrick, Kettleman Hills, Kings County. January 1923
Visual Materials
A panoramic view of an oil derrick in the Kettleman Hills of Kings County. The oil rig in the center of the image is labeled "P-S [Powell-Stockton] Inv. Co Derrick ; Kettleman Hills" in white. The derrick has a few sheds nearby, and two circular storage tanks on the hill just beyond it. There are a couple automobiles parked in the area. The surrounding land is dry and hilly, with only low scrub growing. Writing in white in the bottom right reads "No. 3. By ; C.C. Pierce & Co. ; 1572 W. Pico, L.A."
photCL 470 (215)
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Map of Kettleman Hills North Dome, Kings & Fresno Counties, California
Rare Books
Shows various claims inside and outside Kettleman Hills North Dome Association. An attempt to arrive at fair representation for integrating this oil field.[Signed] George W. Nilssen."Drawn by W. A. Walker, May 31, 1934, Revised Sept. 20, 1935. File 97/5." Composite Section Kettleman Hills North Dome. Prime meridian: GM. Relief: no. Graphic Scale: Feet. Projection: Cylindrical. Printing Process: Blue line print.
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Kettleman Hills oil field, Kings County. January 1923
Visual Materials
A panoramic view of the Kettleman Hills oil field in Kings County. There is an oil rig on the left which belongs to Powell-Stockton Investment Co. The derrick has a few sheds nearby, and two circular storage tanks on the hill just beyond it. A man in a dark suit stands on a slope between the camera and the derrick. The surrounding land is dry and hilly, with only low scrub growing.
photCL 470 (216)
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California - Kettleman Hills, Kings County
Visual Materials
A collection of photographs and maps compiled by American geologist and petroleum engineer Ralph Arnold (1875-1961), documenting his pioneering work in oil and mineral exploration, chiefly in the Western United States, Mexico and Venezuela, from 1900 to 1954. The collection centers on 64 photograph albums that span 50 years of Arnold's life and work. Photographs are accompanied by Arnold's typed captions identifying geological features; oil and mining activities; technical data; and dates and locations, i.e. often an oil or mining "district" or "field," such as "Sunset Field" (California). Subject matter includes geological and topographical features such as rock formations, faults and schisms, mountain structure, geothermal activity, and open land with potential drilling or mining spots. Earthquake faults are seen and described in many of Arnold's California investigations. There are also views of small and large-scale oil operations (by individuals and by organized companies); details of oil flow and reservoirs; asphalt; drilling equipment; workers and fields of oil wells. Arnold's work took him all over the Western United States, particularly California oil fields, but also Texas, Wyoming, Arizona, Alaska and other states. From 1911-1916 he was primarily in South America, and in the 1920s-1940s, mostly in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Mining operations are the focus of some albums, showing investigations for tin, gold and other minerals; mines and ore processing, all with detailed descriptions. Arnold also often photographed people: colleagues and business associates, oil lease owners on their properties; workers (particularly Black and Asian workers in Venezuela); and friends and family. Personal photographs are throughout the album, such as of his wife, Winninette, and their two daughters; Stokes family members (Winninette's family) in South Pasadena; and alumni of Pasadena High School and Stanford University. Arnold was an avid gardener and the albums contain detail views of cactus and tropical plants, and scenes of Arnold collecting wild orchids in Trinidad, Venezuela and Mexico. The maps date from 1880-1948 and include U.S.G.S. and geological maps, California oil fields and well locations; layouts of mines, and various tract maps showing oil company-owned land.
photCL 311
Powell-Stockton oil derrick no. 1, Kettleman Hills oil field, Kings County. January 1923
Visual Materials
A panoramic view of the Kettleman Hills oil field in Kings County. There is oil rig in the center which has a few sheds nearby, and two circular storage tanks on the hill on the far left. A sign posted just in front of the derrick reads "Powell-Stockton ; Inv. Co. Ltd. ; No. 1.". The tops of five automobiles are visible above the crest of the hill, left of the oil rig, and there are a few men standing nearby. The surrounding land is dry and hilly, with only low scrub growing.
photCL 470 (217)
Powell-Stockton oil derrick no. 1, Kettleman Hills oil field, Kings County. January 1923
Visual Materials
A panoramic view of an oil rig in the Kettleman Hills oil field in Kings County. There is oil rig on the center which has a few sheds nearby, connected by power/telephone lines and pipes. A group of twenty-five men and women stand on a slightly elevated platform that extends to the right of the derrick. Most of the people are in nice suits or dresses, but a group nearest the rig wears dirty coveralls. A sign leaning against the base of the platform reads "Powell-Stockton ; Inv. Co. Ltd. ; No 1." A truck is parked next to a shed on the left. The surrounding land is dry and hilly, with only low scrub growing.
photCL 470 (218)