On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) north of East Elm Avenue (County Road 198), on the left when traveling north.
This is a 1912 view of Coalinga’s 5th Street. From this spot looking northwest, can be seen some of Coalinga’s newest buildings of the time. To the immediate left can be seen a side portion of the Amy Building, next the Rockwell building, Pleasant . . . — — Map (db m63915) HM
Near East Polk Street, on the left when traveling west.
This boiler used to sit in the Claremont Oil Lease, known as Section 24-D. The boiler was used to create steam to inject into the ground to make the pumping of crude oil easier. In the early 1960s the boiler was moved onto the Polvadero Lease to be . . . — — Map (db m64104) HM
On Los Gatos Creek Road 14 miles west of Derrick Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
On the morning of January 28, 1948, a plane went down
across the road from this memorial Killing 28 Bracero
workers, 3 crew members and an immigration officer.
The plane crash was observed by convicts from the
Fresno County Road . . . — — Map (db m310096) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) at West Elm Street, on the left when traveling north on Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street).
A.P. May, Coalinga area pioneer and indomitable personality in the building of the town. In 1903, Mr. May constructed five galvanized iron buildings at this site. A project, in which his associates tried to discourage him because they believed that . . . — — Map (db m63913) HM
On West Forest Avenue at North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on West Forest Avenue.
A.P. May migrated from England in 1884, homesteaded at the mouth of Los Gatos Creek, in 1888 was one of the first to open a store in Coalinga. The store is now Coalinga Hardware.
He started the store on a very small scale in the early part of . . . — — Map (db m64082) HM
On California Route 33 0.1 miles south of Dorris Road ( Route 198), on the left when traveling south.
Headquarters of notorious bandit Joaquin Murieta. Killed here July 25, 1853 by posse of state rangers led by Captain Harry Love. Terrorized mining camps and stage operations during his career. — — Map (db m151585) HM
On Dorris Avenue (State Highway 198) 0.1 miles east of State Highway 33, on the left when traveling east.
Headquarters of notorious bandit, Joaquin Murieta. Killed here July 25, 1853, by posse of State Rangers, led by Captain Harry Love. Terrorized mining camps and stage operations during his career. — — Map (db m229467) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) near West Durian Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
A story in the “Coalinga Oil Record: described it as, “A two story modern brick building, of which the second story is under construction, and when completed will be one of the most modern equipped apartment houses in the valley.” . . . — — Map (db m63972) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) near West Cedar Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
At the age of 16, in the year of 1897, Baptiste migrated from Les Barraques, France, to homestead in the Jacalitos canyon, with a desire to be a cattleman. For living expenses, Baptiste worked fourteen years as an A.P. May store clerk-manager.
The . . . — — Map (db m63971) HM
On East Elm Street at North 3rd Street, on the left when traveling west on East Elm Street.
Mr. Robert “Bob” Schatt purchased a lot at this location in 1938. The lot was bought from a Mr. Tom Glenchur for the purpose of building a “Union Oil” service station. Bob opened the station in 1939. During World War II, Bob . . . — — Map (db m64161) HM
Dominique Bordagaray was born in St. Jean Pied de Port, Basses Pyrenees, France. Immigrated to the United States in 1893. Moved to Fresno Co. in 1895 and worked as a sheepherder until 1908. He established a sheep shearing camp at “Turk”, . . . — — Map (db m64062) HM
On West Elm Street at North 6th Street, on the left when traveling west on West Elm Street.
In 1906, Coalinga was a boom town and there was a great need for blacksmithing and transporting. So the Cheney family decided to move to Coalinga from Cheney’s Grove, Illinois by way of Petaluma and Maricopa, Calif.
The Cheney Bros. started with . . . — — Map (db m63889) HM
On West Elm Street just east of 7th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Station A was one of three mines (A. B. & C.) in the Coalinga Hills where coal was mined. The coal was transfered (sic) from mule driven ore wagons. Then by coal cars pulled by old Betsy to the transfer dock at Alcalde in Warthan Canyon, from there . . . — — Map (db m229468) HM
On West Elm Street just east of 7th Street, on the left when traveling west.
This is the approximate site of Coaling Station A established by the S.P.R.R. in the late 1880’s from which the City of Coalinga derived its name. — — Map (db m229469) HM
On Easr Durian Avenue near 4th Street, on the left when traveling east.
In took one word to describe the Coalinga Carnegie Library – “Beautiful”
Carnegie, Andrew, 1839-1919 American industrialist and philanthropist, born in Scotland.
Walter Ochs was the successful bidder at $15,797.00. The . . . — — Map (db m64059) HM
On East Elm Street (Route 33/198) west of North 4th Street, on the left when traveling west.
During its short life, the Coalinga Opera House presented the top entertainers of the time. Coalinga was a boomtown with considerable wealth and the town’s people could afford the very best. Located directly across the street was the Grand Central . . . — — Map (db m64163) HM
On East Polk Street at South 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Polk Street.
Coalinga School built in 1908 was five times larger than Coalinga’s first school. Over the years it became affectionately known as the Polk Street school. Not long after the school was first built, a fire burned the original bell tower. The . . . — — Map (db m64106) HM
On Sunset Avenue at Van Ness Street, on the right when traveling north on Sunset Avenue.
The Union High School was erected by W.J. Ochs according to the plans of J.W. Dolliver, the San Francisco architect in charge of the work. Mr. Ochs’ winning bid for the school contact was $19,650.00.
Official Opening of the Union High School was . . . — — Map (db m64021) HM
On East Cedar Avenue west of Coalinga Plaza ( North 5th Street), on the right when traveling east.
January 1905, Mrs. Anria Kerr invited ten lay friends to meet at her home to form the “Coalinga Ladies Improvement Club.” Their goal was to “promote harmony and improve social and civic needs.” In 1907 they joined the General . . . — — Map (db m64020) HM
On South 5th Street just south of East Forest Street, on the right when traveling north.
In the 1880’s coal was being mined in the hills of southwestern Fresno Co. In 1888 the Southern Pacific Railroad extended it’s line from Goshen to Alcade, south and west of present day Coalinga. A spur line was built from the mine to the railhead. . . . — — Map (db m64084) HM
Near East Polk Street near South 5th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Coalinga’s first school opened with forty one students and two teachers. After 1908 and the opening of the Polk Street School, it is believed to have been converted to the local library. This school building still exists today as family housing. . . . — — Map (db m64105) HM
On East Forest Avenue at South 5th Street, on the left when traveling west on East Forest Avenue.
F St., sometimes Front St., now Forest St. Established after the railroad was built in 1888 on one-half city block directly across from the Depot. Parts of the row burned many times over the years, always to be rebuilt. The final demise of the Row’s . . . — — Map (db m64081) HM
On North 5th Street at West Elm Street, on the left when traveling north on North 5th Street.
Jacob Zwang was born in Sennefeld, Baden Germany and migrated to the United States in 1896 at the age of 16 years. He arrived at 2:00 o’clock in the morning and was met by his uncle Moses Levy, and cousin Albert Levy. This was the start of a . . . — — Map (db m64061) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) north of East Cedar Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Dr William H. Gilliatt was born in Sommerville, Massachusetts He graduated from Aurora College, Illinois and Boston University Medical School. Dr. Gilliatt or “Dr. Bill” as he was generally called, came to Coalinga as a young doctor in . . . — — Map (db m64060) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) at West Elm Street on Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street).
On May 2nd, 1983 at 4:42 P.M. a major earthquake of 6.7 magnitude lasting 45 seconds destroyed 54 buildings in downtown Coalinga. Only 31 people were injured and miraculously there were no deaths.
The earthquake also destroyed over 300 homes and . . . — — Map (db m63914) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) north of East Elm Avenue (County Road 198), on the right when traveling north.
The bank was a community business project spear-headed by Mr. A.E. Webb. Prominent folks were identified at the time by Mr. F.J. McCollum were the Peelers, the Boyles, Hivieys, Pikes (founders of Republic Supply), Turners, Heavys, Zwangs, Robinsons, . . . — — Map (db m63916) HM
On Sunset Avenue just south of West Madison Street, on the right when traveling south.
Article taken from Hanford Journal
April 2, 1908
“Celebration at Coalinga opera house, orator drops dead. 2nd anniversary of city incorporation. Rev. Z.L. Nesbutt made an excellent address when he sat down and fell over into the lap of . . . — — Map (db m64018) HM
On East Forest Avenue at North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on East Forest Avenue.
In the 1880s coal was being mined in the hills of southwest Fresno County. In 1888, the Southern Pacific Railroad extended its line from Goshen to Alcade, south and west of present-day Coalinga. The San Joaquin Valley Coal Mining Company developed a . . . — — Map (db m64080) HM
On Sunset Avenue just south of West Adams Street, on the left when traveling north.
Sunset School was a beautiful two and one half story building made of brick and stone
In 1902 oil was eighteen to twenty cents a barrel. In 1905, oil advanced to forty cents a barrel and in the fall of 1908, oil raised to sixty-two and one-half . . . — — Map (db m64057) HM
On Elm Avenue (California Route 33.198) at Phelps Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Elm Avenue.
Harry Watanabe was 19 years old when he came to Coalinga from Japan in 1915. Watanabe first worked at Ayers Drug Store and the Sullivan Hotel. It was in 1928 that Watanabe found his niche in life and the vocation that left his mark on Coalinga. . . . — — Map (db m64107) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) at East Cedar Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street).
Built by Dominique Bordagaray, who emigrated from St. Jean Pied de Port, Basses Pyrenees France. Soon after Coalinga began building he bought six lots on “C” St. and fifth, where he built a row of store buildings. In one of these he ran . . . — — Map (db m63969) HM
On Van Ness Street at Sunset Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Van Ness Street.
Vince Motte was born at home in Coalinga on the 6th of August, 1913. He is the youngest son of Westside pioneers Baptiste and Josephine Motte. Baptiste homesteaded, what is now Motte Canyon in the Jacalitos Hills south of Coalinga. Later he . . . — — Map (db m64022) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) at East Cedar Avenue on Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street).
October 8, 1910, Coalinga Daily Oil Record:
“Phelps Building Asset to Coalinga
Excellent View of Coalinga’s Wonderful Field
Can Be Obtained From Roof of Sky Scraper”
"One of the recent additions to the city of Coalinga . . . — — Map (db m63970) HM
On West Durian Avenue at Coalinga Plaza ( North 5th Street), on the right when traveling west on West Durian Avenue.
The Pleasant Valley Hotel was erected by a number of local men to fill an urgent need of the city. The other hotels and boarding houses were filled to overflowing every night, and many a visitor had to spend the night on the streets. It was later . . . — — Map (db m63973) HM
On Elm Ave (California Route 33) at N 6th St, on the right when traveling south on Elm Ave.
Fountain & Bottling Company 1917
"A Bottle of Milk is a Bottle of Health"
Original Site at 358 N. 5th St. the 6th & Elm St. Site established in 1938.
The Premier Creamery served Coalinga for over 60 years. The business sold milk, butter, . . . — — Map (db m113003) HM
On West Elm Street at 6th Street, on the left when traveling west on West Elm Street.
R.C. Baker
Memorial Museum
Richfield
Service Station
Built in Coalinga
On the corner of
Fifth and Glenn St.
1934
Restored in 2003
Moved to this location 2004
Restored by
Wayne James
and
The R.C. Baker Museum . . . — — Map (db m63890) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) near West Durian Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Jim Rockwell started construction on his hotel during the oil boom of the 1900’s. The boom was unsurpassed in fast money, hard work, and rough play. People were sleeping in the streets with their pockets full of money and no place to stay. The . . . — — Map (db m63974) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) near East Durian Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
In 1909 Dominique Bordagaray purchased six lots on 5th and “C” Streets and built row stores on them as Coalinga began to grow. The row stores included a French laundry, cigar shop, and liquor store, bicycle shop and confectionery shop.
The French . . . — — Map (db m63917) HM
On Sunset Avenue at West Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling north on Sunset Avenue.
Coalinga was a mission attached to the St. Brigid’s Parish in Hanford up to 1907, when Rev. E. Girarde was appointed the first pastor of Coalinga’s new St. Paul’s Catholic Church. St. Paul’s was served by sixteen pastors from 1907 to 1945. In 1945 . . . — — Map (db m64058) HM
On Wesr Forest Avenue just south of North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Oscar Sullivan built the Hotel and featured the Sullivan Grill and Restaurant. By 1905 the Sullivan had the reputation as one of the finest establishments on the Westside. Many wedding receptions and other special occasions were held at the . . . — — Map (db m64083) HM
On Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street) at West Elm Street, on the right when traveling north on Coalinga Plaza (North 5th Street).
It was built by A.E. Webb, an Englishman, who came to join English friends A.P. May and Elgar Adams in homesteading on the Los Gatos. The building was two stories tall with a full basement. It was built as a monument to Coalinga’s future.
The Webb . . . — — Map (db m63893) HM
On Elm Avenue (California Route 33/198) at Pearl Street, on the right when traveling north on Elm Avenue.
This pumping unit, known as a wooden walking beam, was one of the oldest and last remaining in actual use within the Coalinga oil fields. Put into service in July of 1918, it was in continuous use until November 1979. Initial production was 170 . . . — — Map (db m64108) HM
