California Historical Landmarks in Humboldt County

California Historical Landmark 543
Oil Wells
Sherman Avenue and Front Street
Petrolia


Oil Wells

California's first drilled oil wells that produced crude to be refined and sold commercially were located on the North Fork of the Mattole River approximately three miles east of here. The old Union Mattole Oil Company made its first shipment of oil from here, to a San Francisco refinery, in June 1865. Many old well heads remain today.

California Office of Historic Preservation

Prev | Next
Humboldt County: List | Map
California: List | Map