Bakersfield in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Cable Tool Drilling Rig
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
1. Cable Tool Drilling Rig Marker
Kern County is one of the top oil producing areas in the United States. Four oil fields in Kern County have each produced over one billion barrels of oil.
In 1899, the discovery of oil on land near the Kern River started an oil boom. The oil boom resulted in the construction of hundreds of wooden derricks north of Bakersfield over the next few years.
A cable tool drilling rig uses a cable or rope to raise and lower a large metal drill bit. The drill bit pounds on the ground breaking up soil and rock digging a cylindrical tube or well into the earth.
The Petroleum Production Pioneers, in cooperation with numerous oil companies and volunteers, constructed this replica of a cable tool drilling rig on the grounds of the museum in 1957.
[A second marker:]
Petroleum is one of the world’s most valuable resources. By modern processes it is transformed into endless
this page online
This cable-tool rig very fittingly represents an important era in the evolution of oilwell drilling techniques and, hence, an equally important era in the history of Kern County.
Petroleum Production Pioneers
Kern County Museum Oil Committee
Kern County Board of Supervisors
Erected 1957 by Kern County Museum, Petroleum Production Pioneers, Kern County Museum Oil Committee and Kern County Board of Supervisors.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical date for this entry is May 4, 1957.
Location. 35° 23.603′ N, 119° 1.287′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. Marker can be reached from Chesterfield Drive. Marker and drill rig are located near Donor Plaza in the Pioneer Village at the Kern County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Standard End Pumping Unit (a few steps from this marker); Metcalf House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sentry Statues and Gate Posts
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
2. Cable Tool Drilling Rig Marker
Regarding Cable Tool Drilling Rig. The term “derrick” comes from Thomas Derrick, a hangman, who invented a type of gallows using a beam and pulley system during the Elizabethan era. He is reported to have executed over 3,000 people with his gallows device. This device later became known as a "derrick". The term was later used to describe other lifting devices using a similar support mechanism.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
3. A Second Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
4. The Second Cable Tool Drilling Rig Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
5. Drilling Rig With George O. Suman Memorial Pioneer Petroleum Exhibit Buildings
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
6. Photos Displayed on Marker
Wooden derrick in the Kern River Oil Field, circa 1910
Inset: Kern River Oil Field, KT&O lease, circa 1911
Inset: Kern River Oil Field, KT&O lease, circa 1911
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
7. Photos Displayed on Marker
Upper Photo:
Kern River Oil Fields, circa 1910
Lower Photo:
Derrick construction at the Kern County Museum in 1956.
Kern River Oil Fields, circa 1910
Lower Photo:
Derrick construction at the Kern County Museum in 1956.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
8. Cable Tool Drilling Rig and George O. Suman Memorial Pioneer Petroleum Exhibits Buildings
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
9. The Cable Tool Drilling Rig
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 28, 2009
10. Kern River Oil Fields
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 28, 2009
11. Kern River Oil Fields
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009
12. George O. Suman Memorial Pioneer Petroleum Exhibits Dedication Plaque
This plaque commemorates the re-opening of the Pioneer Petroleum Exhibit Building, originally dedicated in May 1972 as a gift to the Kern County Museum from the Petroleum Production Pioneers.
This plaque also memorializes the fruitful career and good deeds ofGeorge O. Suman 1897 – 1981
Associated Oil Co. ∙ Tide Water Associates Oil Co. ∙ Tide Water Oil Co. 1920 – 1962
A petroleum pioneer whose efforts were largely responsible for the Pioneer Petroleum Exhibit Building and the establishment of the nationally acclaimed Pioneer Petroleum Exhibits here in Pioneer Village.
These exhibits are a tribute to California’s oil industry and to the pioneer men and women who made that industry the greatest on earth.
From this day forward, these exhibits will be known as theGeorge O. Suman Memorial
Pioneer Petroleum Exhibits
Dedicated June 3, 1988 by the Petroleum Production Pioneers
Plaque courtesy of Robert B. Moss, Jr., Architectural Specialties, Bakersfield, California.
This plaque also memorializes the fruitful career and good deeds of
A petroleum pioneer whose efforts were largely responsible for the Pioneer Petroleum Exhibit Building and the establishment of the nationally acclaimed Pioneer Petroleum Exhibits here in Pioneer Village.
These exhibits are a tribute to California’s oil industry and to the pioneer men and women who made that industry the greatest on earth.
From this day forward, these exhibits will be known as the
Pioneer Petroleum Exhibits
Plaque courtesy of Robert B. Moss, Jr., Architectural Specialties, Bakersfield, California.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,349 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on December 21, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
