Taft in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
West Kern Oil Museum
Photographed By Alan Price
1. West Kern Oil Museum Marker
Inscription.
West Kern Oil Museum. . The Jameson # 17 oil derrick, which was drilled in 1917 and produced until the 1980’s, was scheduled to be torn down. In 1974 the local American Association of University Women and several dedicated people convinced Jameson Oil Company to donate the wooden derrick along with three acres of land to give the West Kern Oil Museum, Inc. a promising start. The Jameson # 17 was the last standing wooden derrick in California, outlasting more than 7000 wooden derricks that covered the Midway-Sunset Field. Due to safety issues the derrick finally had to be torn down in 2003. However, the museum had the original plans, and in 2005 raised an exact replica of the derrick. Today, the replica stands over the original well, and is a part of the museum, which has grown to 8 acres., The story of the oil companies, of everyday life in early oilfields and camps, as well as the story of oil itself are exhibited and interpreted within the museum., The museum, run entirely by volunteers, is dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting artifacts, books, and equipment that tell the story of oil in California, particularly in West Kern County.
The Jameson # 17 oil derrick, which was drilled in 1917 and produced until
the 1980’s, was scheduled to be torn down. In 1974 the local American
Association of University Women and several dedicated people convinced
Jameson Oil Company to donate the wooden derrick along with three acres
of land to give the West Kern Oil Museum, Inc. a promising start.
The Jameson # 17 was the last standing wooden derrick in California,
outlasting more than 7000 wooden derricks that covered the Midway-Sunset
Field. Due to safety issues the derrick finally had to be torn down in 2003.
However, the museum had the original plans, and in 2005 raised an exact
replica of the derrick. Today, the replica stands over the original well, and is
a part of the museum, which has grown to 8 acres.
The story of the oil companies, of everyday life in early oilfields and
camps, as well as the story of oil itself are exhibited and
interpreted within the museum.
The museum, run entirely by volunteers, is dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting artifacts, books, and equipment that
tell the story of oil in California, particularly in West Kern County.
Erected 2015 by Peter Lebec Chapter 1866, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this
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topic list: Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 35° 7.993′ N, 119° 26.894′ W. Marker is in Taft, California, in Kern County. Marker can be reached from Wood Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the grounds of the West Kern Oil Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1168 Wood Street, Taft CA 93268, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2015, by Alan Price or Jayne Hotchkiss-Price of Caliente, California. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Alan Price or Jayne Hotchkiss-Price of Caliente, California. 3. submitted on February 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on April 4, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.