California Central (San Joaquin) Valley

My favorite (really) oil field. In a valley just west of the Pyramid Hills, an older facility apparently operated by a small, independent, company. The operation seems to be one that just keeps steadily pumping, rather than using the latest techniques to push the most out of the field. Of course, that might be an overly romantic view of the field -- it might be that it just doesn't have the capacity to push it further. But, its encouraging to think that there might be an operator who goes for slow and steady instead of rapid depletion.

Winter in an oil field.

Oil wells and storage facilities in the Pyramid Hills section of Kings County, California. Unlike the areas around and north of Taft, these remote areas seem to be small operations that are not affiliated with major corporations.

Winter skies and sun on the hills, from oil storage facilities in Pyramid Hills. Best viewed as Part of Central Valley set.

When you see on the map 'Raisin City', you just have to go.... it's a small (pop 380) unincorporated area in the middle of the Central Valley in an area where the grapes used for raisins are grown.

Apparently abandoned peluquería (barber shop) in Raisin City. The population of the area is primarily Hispanic.

Raisin City market, which appeared to be the only store in town.

I am regularly surprised by the economic and social health of the commercial centers in small, generally unknown, towns in the Central Valley. This and the next two pictures of downtown Reedley are examples of how active such centers are.

I am regularly surprised by the economic and social health of the town centers in small, generally unknown, towns in the Central Valley. This and two other pictures of downtown Reedley are examples of how active such centers are.

Visitors to a cafe in downtown Reedley.

A drinking fountain, originally installed in downtown Reedley in 1909, by the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Relocated at some later point to Pioneer Park, near the band shell.

Former Riverdale train depot. Per Wikipedia, the Riverdale Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad operated from about 1910 till 1952. There was no plaque and the building sits adjacent to what appeard to have been a car dealer. The surrounding area didn't give any clue as to whether the rail line had been at this location or elsewhere and the depot late moved to this location.

Former Riverdale train depot. Per Wikipedia, the Riverdale Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad operated from about 1910 till 1952. There was no plaque and the building sits adjacent to what appeard to have been a car dealer. The surrounding area didn't give any clue as to whether the rail line had been at this location or elsewhere and the depot late moved to this location.

A few miles north and west of the I-5, near Santa Nella, Ca, is the San Joaquin National Cemetery. A new cemetery for military and veterans. It's farily remote, though every time I have visited there has been a funeral in process. Many of those buried are veterans of earlier wars, though many are also victims of the Iraq & Afghanistan wars. Seeing the families (often Hispanic), and hearing taps and then a rifle salute, are solemn reminders of what we are doing and who is paying the costs of these wars

San Joaquin Valley Railroad passing the San Joaquin Elevator.

The San Joaquin Valley Railroad is a shortline operating in the southern portion of the Central Valley.

San Joaquin Valley Railroad. The engine on the front appeared to be a lease with no identifiable markings.

Older Sanger Hotel in Sanger, with a sign on top for the Mirror Room. In the 1960's and 70's, before the advent of modern motel chains, I sometimes stayed in such older town hotels. They provided something that the modern chains don't -- an opportunity to see how the history of the town unfolded through the traveling businessmen that used the hotels, and the business and social negotiations that happened in their restaurants or bar/lounges. It's somewhat disappointing to see the history of these old town hotels disappear under later mixed-use.