Discovery Well of Kern River Oilfield

The bronze reads like a roll call. Tom Means talked Roe Elwood and Frank Wiseman into digging here in 1899, and the plaque names six more men who helped: four Elwoods, another Wiseman, John Marlowe. They found oil at seventy feet with hand tools. Then the last sentence gives the credit away. Four hundred feet north, on June 1 of that year, Horace and Milton McWhorter drilled the region's first commercial well. The field that followed became the densest oil development in the state. The landmark itself sits behind a locked gate.

What the plaque says

California Historical Landmark Discovery Well Kern River Field Oil was discovered here at 70 feet in 1899 when Tom Means persuaded Roe Elwood and Frank Wiseman to dig for oil, aided by Jonathan, Bert, Jed, Ken Elwood, George Wiseman, and John Marlowe. June 1, 1899, 400 feet north, Horace and Milton McWhorter drilled the first commercial well. Dedicated April 7, 1940 Bakersfield Parlor No 43 N.S.G.W. El Tejon Parlor No 239 N.D.G.W. Kern County Historical Society Kern County Chamber of Commerce Department of Natural Resources Reg. No 290 State of California

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Gordon's Ferry on the Kern River — 0.8 mi
• Home of Elisha Stevens — 3.6 mi
• Last Home of Alexis Godey — 4.6 mi
• Garcés Circle — 4.6 mi