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

Buena Vista Refinery

California Historical Landmark

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 13, 2025

1. Buena Vista Refinery Marker

Inscription. Eight miles due west of this marker stood one of California's first commercial oil refineries. Between August 1864 and April 1867, approximately 4,000 gallons of illuminating oil produced there was shipped to San Francisco by the Buena Vista Petroleum Company. Refining operations terminated due to excessive transportation rates.

Erected 1954 by Kern County Historical Society, Miocene Parlor No.228 N.D.G.W., The Petroleum Production Pioneers, and Kern County Museum. (Marker Number 504.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1867.

Location. 35° 23.862′ N, 119° 39.9′ W. Marker is in McKittrick, California, in Kern County. It is at the intersection of Lokern Road and Westside Highway (County Route 33), on the right when traveling west on Lokern Road. Marker is located on the northeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mc Kittrick CA 93251, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: McKittrick Hotel and Penny Bar

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(approx. 6.8 miles away); McKittrick Brea Pit (approx. 7.3 miles away); Buttonwillow Tree (approx. 10.8 miles away); Wallace Creek Interpretive Trail (approx. 12.7 miles away).

Photographed by Denise Boose, October 18, 2009

2. Buena Vista Refinery Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, October 18, 2009

3. Buena Vista Refinery Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 13, 2025

4. Buena Vista Refinery Marker

View From the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, October 18, 2009

5. View From the Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 2,366 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on October 25, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1. submitted on October 14, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on January 21, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4. submitted on October 14, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on January 21, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.