Oildale in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Oildale Waits Drilling Company

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

1. Oildale Waits Drilling Company Marker

Inscription. In May 1899, Thomas A. Means owned the land where James and Jonathan Elwood discovered oil on the North Bank of the Kern River. They used a hand auger under the edge of the cliff checking for oil, and later moved to the top to drill. Oil surfaced from 256 feet, on July 26, 1899.

You can see the Discovery Well, capped in red, behind the dedication plaque. The Kern River Field has been the longest producing in the nation - over 100 Years.

As the Standard Oil Company grew in Kern County, a pipeline was constructed between here and the Pt. Richmond Refinery across from San Francisco.

Standard Oil Company of California later changed its name to Chevron USA, Inc. The exploration department was located at 2401 N. Chester Avenue (see below) and can still be seen at 3311 Manor Street.

Erected 2012 by Citizens For A New Oildale & Chevron.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1899.

Location. 35° 25.614′ N, 119° 1.213′ W. Marker is in Oildale, California, in Kern County. Marker is on China Grade Loop Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 China Grade Loop Road, Bakersfield CA 93308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oildale Mural (approx. 1½ miles away); Home of Elisha Stevens (approx. 2.2 miles away); Jewett Family (approx. 2.3 miles away); Sonora Service Station (approx. 2.3 miles away); Kern County Fair Exhibit Building (approx. 2.3 miles away); Standard School (approx. 2.3 miles away); Bungalow (approx. 2.3 miles away); Cable Tool Drilling Rig (approx. 2.3 miles away).

More about this marker. Painted by Patti Doolittle

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Discovery Well Site - CHL #290

Oildale Waits Drilling Company Marker and Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

2. Oildale Waits Drilling Company Marker and Mural

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

3. Oildale Waits Drilling Company Marker and Mural

Oildale Waits Drilling Company Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

4. Oildale Waits Drilling Company Mural

Patti Doolittle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

5. Patti Doolittle

3311 Manor Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

6. 3311 Manor Street

Formally the Chevron Exploration Department, now the building is being used as part of a church.

The Discovery Well image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

7. The Discovery Well

See Related Marker for additional information.

Discovery Well of Kern River Oilfield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

8. Discovery Well of Kern River Oilfield

The Discovery Well Cap image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

9. The Discovery Well Cap

Oildale Oil Pumps image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

10. Oildale Oil Pumps

Citizens for a New Oildale & Chevron image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 21, 2013

11. Citizens for a New Oildale & Chevron

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 876 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.