Newhall in Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Pioneer Oil Refinery

← 3 Miles

Photographed By Konrad R Summers, circa May 2008

1. Pioneer Oil Refinery Marker

Inscription. In 1875 the Star Oil Company, one of the predecessors of the Standard Oil Company of California, drilled its first Pico Canyon well, which yielded about one hundred barrels per day. The discovery resulted in the erection of the first commercial oil refinery in California the following year.

Erected by Department of Public Works - Division of Highways. (Marker Number 172.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 34° 22.696′ N, 118° 33.83′ W. Marker is in Santa Clarita, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Newhall. Marker is on Lyons Avenue east of Interstate 5, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24530 Lyons Ave, Newhall CA 91321, 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. Oak of the Golden Dream (here, next to this marker); American Bison (approx. 2 miles away); William J. Johnston Jr. (approx. 2 miles away); American Revolution (approx. 2 miles away); Saugus School Bell (approx. 2.1 miles away); William S. Hart Park and Museum (approx. 2.2

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miles away); Newhall Ranch House (approx. 2.3 miles away); End of an Era (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clarita.

Regarding Pioneer Oil Refinery. The refinery location is fenced off and access is not allowed, but a historical park is under construction (in 2023) and will be open to the public after a new industrial park is completed. The site is located near 23864 Pine Street, Newhall, California.
It is the oldest still-standing oil refinery in the Western Hemisphere (perhaps in the world). The site was designated California Historical Landmark No.172 on March 6, 1935. In 1984, Standard Oil of California changed its name to Chevron.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . . The Pioneer Oil Refinery. (Submitted on January 23, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)

Photographed By Konrad R Summers, circa May 2008

2. Pioneer Oil Refinery Marker

This marker is on the left. The Oak of the Golden Dream marker is on the right.

Photographed By Craig Baker, August 8, 2019

3. Pioneer Oil Refinery Marker

Pioneer Oil Refinery and Oak of the Golden Dream image. Click for full size.

California Historical Landmarks, 1973

4. Pioneer Oil Refinery and Oak of the Golden Dream

Markers originally located at Beale's Cut, now missing.

Pioneer Oil Refinery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Konrad R Summers, circa May 2008

5. Pioneer Oil Refinery

These structures are being relocated (in 2023).

Photographed By Michael Kindig, January 15, 2012

6. Pioneer Oil Refinery

Photographed By Chris Bell, January 15, 2012

7. Pioneer Oil Refinery

California's First Oil Refinery operated on a Commercial Scale. Erected 1876.

1930 Marker at the refinery. image. Click for full size.

circa 1930

8. 1930 Marker at the refinery.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2010, by Konrad R Summers of Santa Clarita, California. This page has been viewed 2,127 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on February 15, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2010, by Konrad R Summers of Santa Clarita, California. 3. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on January 16, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 5. submitted on May 13, 2010, by Konrad R Summers of Santa Clarita, California. 6. submitted on January 16, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 7. submitted on January 23, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 8. submitted on February 10, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.