We were out for a nice drive between rain storms this afternoon when we drove past this historical marker. I quickly pulled over to see what it was about. After a quick read, I figured this spot was worthy of a geocache. Apparently, badfeet was out today for a drive also and also figured this would be a great place for a cache. We submitted our caches at the same time; however, badfeet beat me out–his cache was 6 caches ahead of mine. What are the chances that two caches, placed within 10 feet of each other, would be submitted within a few seconds of each other? I find the entire story very funny. Badfeet’s cache is No. 6–GC18XK0. Stop on by and visit a very popular cache location.
This is the inscription on the plaque:
Near here in May 1867, the California Petroleum Company brought in “Ojai No. 6″ at a depth of 550 feet. W. W. Orcutt decribed it as “the first well drill for oil in California that yielded extended commerical production.” It was the first producing well drill by mechnical power, and the first to flow by its own energy. It is reguarded has the forerunner of the state’s oil bonanza.
The well is located by Thomas R. Bard, of the California Petroleum Company. Mr. Bard, aged 26, came to California from Pennsylvania in 1865 representing T. A. Scott of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the California Petroleum Company. Mr. Bard conceived of the drilling away from existing oil springs on a protected oil structure. With indomitable energy he was the principal figure in the first major effort to develop the petroleum resources of the state.
When the California Petroleum Company suspended operations, No. 6 played a part in the formative years of the Union Oil Company, of which Mr. Bard was the first president. Mr. Bard became the United States Senator and holds a prominent place in California history.
This monument is dedicated to Ojai #6, Senator Bard, to the pioneers of the Union Oil Company, and of the petroleum industry.
Dedicated September 11, 1965,Union Oil Company of California, Petroleum Pioneers Inc.
Here are a couple of other pictures that I took on the drive today.
Posted by coakford
