McKittrick in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
McKittrick Brea Pit
Erected 1952 by Kern County Historical Society and California State Parks. (Marker Number 498.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Paleontology. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists.
Location. 35° 17.783′ N, 119° 37.552′ W. Marker is in McKittrick, California, in Kern County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 58 and State Highway 33, on the left when traveling west on State Highway 58. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mc Kittrick CA 93251, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. McKittrick Hotel and Penny Bar (approx. 0.6 miles away); Buena Vista Refinery (approx. 7.3 miles away); Midway Field - Well No. 2-6 (approx. 9.2 miles away); Buttonwillow Tree (approx. 11˝ miles away); Wallace Creek (approx. 11˝ miles away); The Fort (approx. 13.6 miles away); The Fort, Taft (approx. 13.6 miles away); History of Taft (approx. 14.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McKittrick.
More about this marker. A half mile west of here is the site of California Historic Landmark No. 376 — California Standard Oil Well 1.
This well was one of the early wells that in 1899 started a new oil field called the McKittrick Field. The well pumped about 150 barrels of oil per day for the first six months - its last production was in April 1929.
[Nothing is there today]
Regarding McKittrick Brea Pit. The original marker had the following text:
Located one-eighth mile west of here is ancient asphaltum seepage in which hundreds of Pleistocene (15,000 - 50,000 years ago) birds and animals were trapped. Site first explored in 1925 by the University of California, with excavation completed in 1949 by Los Angeles and Kern County Museums.
State Registered Historical Landmark No. 498.
Marker placed by Kern County Historical Society, Miocene Parlor No. 228 N.D.G.W., El Tejon Parlor No. 238 N.D.G.W., and Kern County Museum.
Additional keywords. tar pit, California Historic Landmark No. 498, California Historic Landmark No. 376
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2011. This page has been viewed 2,214 times since then and 141 times this year. Last updated on March 18, 2021. Photos: 1. submitted on March 5, 2021, by Ken Hooper of Bakersfield, California. 2. submitted on March 8, 2021, by Ken Hooper of Bakersfield, California. 3. submitted on May 26, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on February 24, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on May 26, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 6. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on May 26, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.