Lakeview Gusher 1

The bronze credits Union Oil, which came in as a partner after the Lakeview Oil Company ran short of money. Lakeview was drilling for gas on ground thought barren when a stuck bailer blew out of the well at 2,225 feet in March 1910. It ran 544 days. Crews threw up sandbag walls and scraped twenty sumps across sixty acres, and the object was not to save the oil but to keep it out of Buena Vista Lake, which irrigated Miller and Lux farmland eight miles off. Roughly half of the nine million barrels was never recovered.

What the plaque says

California Historical Landmark Lakeview Gusher No. 1 America's most spectacular gusher 'blew in' here March 14, 1910. Initial flow was 18,000 barrels per day, and later reached uncontrolled peak of 100,000 barrels per day, completely destroying the derrick. This Union Oil Company well between Taft and Maricopa produced nine million barrels of oil in 18 months. Dedicated Feb. 3, 1952 Marker placed by Miocene Parlor No. 228 N.D.G.W. Kern County Historical Society Kern County Museum State Registered Landmark No. 485

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Tulamniu — 6.7 mi
• Midway Field Well 2-6 — 10 mi
• McKittrick Brea Pit — 19 mi
• Fages-Zalvidea Crossing — 19 mi