Brea in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Olinda Oil Museum and Trail
Olinda Oil Well #1
On this site, Edward L. Doheny drilled the first oil well in the Olinda field in 1897. Olinda #1, drilled to 806 feet, pumped about 50 barrels per day (bpd). By 1898, ten wells were drilled, some producing up to 100 bpd. In 1899, the Santa Fe Railroad built a branch line to the oil field, and the settlement of Olinda was founded. This historic place is preserved to commemorate the pioneering spirit of the people of Olinda.
Olinda Oil Well #1
In 1897, Olinda's first well was drilled to a depth of 806 feet. It began pumping about 50 barrels a day. This site, Olinda's first well, is being preserved to commemorate the pioneers who operated this early oil field.
As of January 2004, the estimated oil produced from this well was 111,780 barrels. Yet after more than a century of continous operation, this symbol of a fascinating history continues to produce at the rate of about two barrels per day.
Today the well is owned and operated by BreitBurn Energy Company.
Erected 2008 by Orange County Board of Supervisors and Orange County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 50.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 33° 55.587′ N, 117° 50.232′ W. Marker is in Brea, California, in Orange County. Marker is on Santa Fe Road east of Railway Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4025 Santa Fe Road, Brea CA 92823, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Olinda Historic Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Olinda (approx. half a mile away); Pacific Electric Depot (approx. 2.7 miles away); Birthplace of Richard Milhous Nixon (approx. 2.8 miles away); Yorba Linda (approx. 2.8 miles away); Richard Nixon — A California Native Son (approx. 2.8 miles away); Richard Nixon (approx. 2.8 miles away); Richard Nixon Birthplace (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brea.
Also see . . . Olinda Oil Museum. Olinda Oil Museum and Trail has preserved a vital part of local history by protecting a 12 acre historical park to recapture the sights, sounds, smells and the vital role Olinda played in the development of the area. Olinda Oil Well #1 was drilled in 1897, and more than 100 years later is still pumping. (Submitted on December 3, 2011.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,079 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on January 3, 2024, by Jason Johnson of Yorba Linda, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 3, 4. submitted on December 10, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.