West Kern Oil Museum

West Kern Oil Museum
1168 Wood St, Taft, CA 93268
Taft, CA 93268

Driving past the orchards, stockyards, and oil wells of central California, it seems only natural to come across the expansive yard of retired oil derricks and other oilfield equipment that greets any visitor to the West Kern Oil Museum.

The West Kern Oil Museum got it’s start with one big acquisition, the Jameson #17 oil derrick. Constructed in 1917, this derrick produced oil into the 1980’s. When the time neared to decommission the Jameson #17—unlike over 7,000 other wooden derricks that covered the Midway-Sunset Field—locals has a plan for this particular piece of history. Thanks the organization of the local American Association of University Women and the generosity of the Jameson Oil Company, the West Kern Oil Museum got its start with last standing wooden oil derrick in California and 3 acres surrounding it.

Jameson #17 Recreation
Jameson #17 Recreation

Central engine house powering a field of oil wells with a system of cables.

While safety concerns lead the original derrick to be taken down, a replica was erected in 2005 and remains as part of the extensive outdoor collection found at the West Kern Oil Museum. Inside, the museum features a series of dioramas and displays presenting the history of oil extraction in Kern County, life in the early oilfields and camps, as well as the progression of oil extraction technology. One wing includes displays covering the local community and archeological history.

Offshore oil platform diorama.
Offshore oil platform diorama.

In the late 1920's there were over 7000 wooden derricks on the Westside of Kern County, both cable tool rigs, like the large model here, and rotary rigs. After drilling, the derricks were left standing over the well for production purposes. With the advent of the portable well pullers, and portable drilling rigs, the old wooden derricks were no longer necessary, and so in the late 1950s and 60's all the wooden derricks were thrown (town down). Our original derrick on the Museum grounds, standing over its original hole, is the last of its kind.
Wooden Oil Derrick
This Hyd-robot (hydraulically operated automatic low-temperature fractional distillation apparatus) was brought used in 1942 from the Watson refinery. (We are searching to find out how old it really is.)  The computer is purely mechanical. Both oil and gas were run, and it is said it took a whole day to get four components. Liquid nitrogen was kept in the thermos.
Hyd-robot (hydraulically operated automatic low-temperature fractional distillation apparatus)

The museum is a testament to a continuous history of community that started in the early oil fields of West Kern County but continues today with the local volunteers that collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit these oil artifacts.

Saber-toothed Cat
Saber-toothed Cat

Oilfield Mural
Oilfield Mural

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