Signal Hill in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Discovery Well - Signal Hill Field
Shell Oil Company – Alamitos No. 1
— June 25, 1921 —
Photographed By Adam Margolis, December 14, 2014
1. Discovery Well - Signal Hill Field Marker
One of the world’s most famous wells, Alamitos No. 1, was started on March 23, 1921, and completed June 25, 1921, at a depth of 3,114 feet, flowing 590 barrels of oil a day.
This discovery well led to the development of one of the most productive oil fields in the world and helped to establish California as a major oil producting state.
This monument commemorating Alamitos No. 1 is a tribute to the petroleum pioneers for their success here, a success which has, by aiding in the growth and expansion of the petroleum industry, contributed so much to the welfare of mankind.
State Registered Landmark No. 580.
Alamitos No. 1 Discovery Well recognized as an official Bicentennial Landmark. Placed by Signal Hill City Council, Signal Hill Bicentennial Commission, Mayor Keaton R. King, Vice-Mayor Nick A Hertz, Councilman William F. Mendenhall, Councilman J. Ennis Neff, Councilman Gertrude A. Beebe, Commissioners Doris M. Miller, Marjorie E. Posner, William F. Mendenhall. Dedicated January 1976.
Erected 1952 by Shell Oil Company and The Petrolum Production Pioneers. (Marker Number 580.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition,
this page online
Location. 33° 47.837′ N, 118° 9.529′ W. Marker is in Signal Hill, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker is at the intersection of Temple Avenue and Hill Street on Temple Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2200 Temple Ave, Signal Hill CA 90755, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Discovery of Oil on the Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); "Unity Monument" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Car Climbs on the Hill (about 500 feet away); Japanese Farming on the Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Broadcasting and Music on the Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Early Aviation on the Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); “Tribute to the Roughnecks” (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hilltop Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Signal Hill.
Also see . . . “Tribute to the Roughnecks” - Building a Monument (a work in progress). How this monument was created, shown in photographs. (Submitted on September 16, 2007.)
Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, November 24, 2006
2. Well "Alamitos No. 1"
Photographed By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 24, 2006
3. “Tribute to the Roughnecks” by Cindy Jackson
This bronze statue, erected in 2006, pays tribute to the men who worked the oil field of Southern California. It is located in a small park overlooking the western portion of Signal Hill and Long Beach. The park is at the intersection of Skyline & Dawson Sts. Alamitos 1 oil well is located 2 blocks north of this site.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 4,692 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 7, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2, 3. submitted on September 12, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
