Oleander Neighborhood

Beale Park

In 1908, Truxtun Beale, the only son of Tejon Ranch owner Lt. Edward F. Beale and wife Mary E. (Edwards) Beale, donated five acres of land on Oleander Avenue for the building of the first park in the City of Bakersfield. Truxtun Beale also donated the materials for all of the landscaping and for the building of the Greek Theater and a swimming pool.

For almost one hundred years now this park has been a mainstay within our city. During the summer evenings, the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra performs concerts from the Greek Theater for residents to enjoy. Their beautiful music has been a tradition which has brought generation after generation of families together for relaxing, tranquil evenings in the park.

Although the pool, after almost one hundred years of use, needed to be removed, the park still offers a water amenity in the spray park recently constructed to allow people in the neighborhood to cool off during the hot days of summer and fall.

Beale Park also offers two group picnic areas, which can be reserved for your family or organizations functions, along with numerous individual picnic areas for smaller outings to the park. There are also three lighted tennis courts, four lighted horseshoe pits, one lighted basketball court, a turf volleyball area, and a softball backstop available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

There is a sandlot style playground area for children, with plenty of toys for them to enjoy their adventure to the park! They are sure to find their favorite toy within this fantastic playground.

In addition to the people amenities, there is something at this park for people who like to bird watch. Since approximately 1977, during the horrible windstorm that struck Bakersfield and Kern County, there has been a population of Rose-ringed Parakeets who first settled in Beale Park, and later also settled in Beach Park and Hart Park. The two original breeding pairs escaped when the roof was torn off of the Happy Bird Aviary during the storm. Since that time, through natural breeding and other unintentional releases of additional parakeets, Beale Park has become the primary home to a large naturalized population during the daytime hours. The birds roost at night in the tall palm trees along Union Avenue and California Avenue. The Rose-ringed Parakeets’ population in greater Bakersfield is the largest naturalization of this species in the world! When at Beale Park, just look up into the trees, these birds are bright green with a very loud call (sounding like “kee ep”). They have a natural lifespan of approximately 20 years, so we are sure to be able to enjoy their company for a long time.

Come and visit Beale Park, located on Oleander Avenue between Dracena and Palm, and enjoy the legacy left to the citizens of the City of Bakersfield by Truxtun Beale

Oildale

It is an unincorporated town just north of Bakersfield across the Kern River, west of the Kern River Oilfield, and east of Highway 99. The amount of land area in Oildale is 6.4 sq. miles.

Most of the original U-2 spy planes flown out of Groom Lake were built at a secret factory in Oildale disguised as a tire factory.

It is the hometown of musician Merle Haggard and writer Gerald Haslam, both of whom are often claimed by nearby Bakersfield. Haggard's famous boxcar boyhood home is still lived in today.

Buck Owens' recording studio, used in the 60's, 70's, & 80's to record most of his hits and also served as the home to radio stations KUZZ and KKXX, was converted from an old movie theatre on North Chester Avenue just south of Norris Road across the street from Standard School. Today it serves as a recording studio that has been used by bands such as Bakersfield-born Korn.

Oildale is home to the Bakersfield Speedway, a 1/3 mile banked clay oval that was built just after World War II. Buck Owens' song, "Beer Can Hill" is about him hanging out with race fans on a hill overlooking the track.

In the movie, "The Grapes of Wrath," the scene when the Joad family first enters into the "Hooverville" and are appalled at what they see...this scene is based on the Hooverville that existed along the Kern River in Oildale near Beardsley Avenue.

Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick grew up in Oildale near his dad's fire station just off North Chester Avenue and attended nearby North High School.

Bakersfield's Helping Agencies

Helping agencies

Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault:
1921 19th St., 322-0931, www.kernalliance.org.
24-hour domestic violence/rape hotline, 327-1091 or 800-273-7713

American Red Cross, Kern Chapter:
5035 Gilmore Ave., 324-6427, www.KernRedCross.org

Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC):
2240 S. Union Ave., 834-BARC (2272), www.barc-inc.org

The Bakersfield Homeless Center, operated by Bethany Services:
1600 E. Truxtun Ave., 322-9199, www.bakhc.com

Bakersfield Rescue Mission:
816 E. 21st St., 325-0863, www.thebrm.org

Community Action Partnership of Kern:
300 19th St., 336-5236, 888-445-0090, www.capk.org.

Offers skills and resources for people to improve their quality of life and become self-sufficient. More than 100 locations throughout Kern County include programs such as Head Start, the Partnership Food Bank, Home Energy Assistance and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).

Ebony Counseling Center:
1301 California Ave., 324-4756

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc.:
615 California Ave., 325-5943, www.gbla.org.
Legal services for eligible low-income people.

211 HelpLine:
dial 211, 336-5200, 800-273-2275, TTY 800-551-1868, www.capk.org.

The county's information and referral service links callers to appropriate service providers. Provides 24-hour 211 service to the county. A program of the Community Action Partnership of Kern.

Kern Adult Literacy Council:
331 18th St., 324-3213, www.kernalc.org

Kern County Network for Children:
2000 K St., third floor, 636-4488, www.kcnc.org.
Mailing address: 1300 17th St., US 3, Bakersfield, 93301

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation:
2001 28th St., 336-6826, www.maof.org

PFLAG (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays):
P.O. Box 42135, Bakersfield, 93384, 632-2510, www.pflag.org.

Offers support for loved ones of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Advocates for people in the gay community to foster a safer environment. Meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road.

The Salvation Army:
4417 Wilson Road, Bakersfield, 836-8487.

Community center provides spiritual and social services, including emergency and disaster services, programs for families, children and senior citizens and those in financial need.

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center:
200 19th St., 325-8626, www.satruck.com.
To schedule a donation pickup, call 800-SATRUCK (728-7825).

Volunteer Center of Kern County Inc.:
1400 Chester Ave., 395-9787, www.volunteercenter.info

Animal Control Services

The following agencies provide animal control services within the County of
Kern:

Kern County Animal Control Department
Animal control: 868-7100
Bakersfield shelter: 868-7125, 201 S. Mount Vernon Ave. Photos of lost pets and adoptable animals can be viewed at www.co.kern.ca.us/acd.

City of Bakersfield
Animal Control
Business phone: 326-3647
Emergency calls: 327-7111
The city of Bakersfield shares the Kern County Animal Shelter at 201 S. Mount Vernon Ave., www.bakersfieldcity.us/acsd.

Arvin Animal Control: P.O. Box 156, Arvin, 93203, 854-5583.
California City Animal Control: 5000 Lindbergh Blvd., California City, 93505, 760-373-8606.

Delano Animal Control: 1300 W. Cecil Ave., Delano, 93215, 721-3377, ext. 450.
Lake Isabella Animal Shelter: 14891 Highway 178, Southlake, Lake Isabella, 93240, 760-378-1131, animal control 760-549-0180.

Mojave Animal Shelter: 923 Poole St., Mojave, 93501, 824-1030.
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter: 411 San Bernardino Blvd., Ridgecrest, 93555, 760-499-5190.

Shafter Animal Control: 201 Central Valley Highway, Shafter, 93263, 746-6341.
Taft Animal Shelter: 1080 E Ash, Taft, 93268, 763-1227.

Wasco Animal Control: 5409 Seventh St., Wasco, 93280, 758-7240.

Aid and rescue groups

The following groups and agencies aid or rescue animals in Kern County:

ALPHA Canine Sanctuary: P.O. Box 5517, Bakersfield, 93388, 391-8212, www.alphacanine.org. Provides rescue, adoptions, care for life and spay/neuter assistance. No animal control services.

Bakersfield Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: 3000 Gibson St., Bakersfield, 93308, 323-8353, www.bakersfieldspca.org.

California Living Museum: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield, 93306, 872-2256, www.calmzoo.org. Call for emergency wildlife referrals and assistance for California native animals only.

The Cat People: 602 18th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301, 327-4706, www.thecatpeople.org. Spay/neuter program, gift shop, seniors assistance. No animal control or veterinary services.

Department of Fish and Game: 1234 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, 559-243-4005, ext. 151, www.dfg.ca.gov.

FACT, Facility for Animal Care and Treatment: Cal State Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway, 93311, 654-3167, rescue line 654-BIRD (2473), www.csub.edu/FACT. Provides wildlife education, rescue of injured or orphaned birds of prey. E-mail: fact@csub.edu.

Kern Humane Society: 900 21st St., Bakersfield, 93301, 325-2589.

Tehachapi Humane Society: P.O. Box 922, Tehachapi, 93581; 21600 Golden Star Blvd., Tehachapi, CA 93561, 823-0699, wud1.com/tehachapihumane.

Senior Resources

Senior resources

Adult Protective Services: Part of the Kern County Aging and Adult Services Department, this unit investigates reports of elder or dependent adult abuse. Abuse can be physical or financial, and may include abandonment, isolation, neglect, and self-neglect. 868-1006 or 800-277-7866.

Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County: 5500 Olive Drive, Building 1, 393-8871, www.alzheimersassn.org.
Mission is to maintain and enhance the quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Adult day services include light breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. Prices vary depending on income.

Entertainment programs include music, dancing, exercise, education, leisure and games. Activities are created to increase socialization, group activities and individual development and awareness.

Kern County Aging and Adult Services: 5357 Truxtun Ave., 868-1000 or 800-510-2020, www.co.kern.ca.us/aas.
The Information and Referral Program helps adults 60 and older identify programs and services to meet specific needs. Services are free to individuals as well as family members and caregivers of an age-qualified person in the areas of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medi-Cal, transportation, in-home support for aged or blind persons or persons with disabilities, property tax postponement and tax relief for seniors.

The program also provides forms assistance in the areas of reduced-fee fishing licenses, SSI recertification, Medi-Cal applications, homeowners/renters assistance, utility rebates and property tax rebates.

Service provider listings include senior nutrition sites, homemaker programs, housing, legal services, nursing facilities, residential care facilities and handyman services that provide discounts.

Kern County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: 615 California Ave., 323-7884, www.gbla.org. The program's trained staff and volunteers investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, people living in nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, assisted living or residential care facilities for the elderly. Staff and volunteers investigate reports of abuse and neglect, and advocate for the rights of the residents.

Kern County Veterans Service Department: 1120 Golden State Ave., 868-7300, www.co.kern.ca.us/veterans. Provides veterans and dependents with referrals for educational and employment benefits and assistance with filing for service-related disability, pension and burial benefits.

North of the River Recreation and Park District: Provides transportation, home-delivered meals, homemaker and recreation programs for seniors. Information available from Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane, 392-2030, www.norfun.org

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP): 1400 Chester Ave., Suite J, 395-9787, www.volunteercenter.info. Program by the Volunteer Center of Kern County provides opportunities for adults 55 and older to offer service to the community. Various sites are available to place senior volunteers in governmental, nonprofit and health-care agencies.

Senior Brown Bag Program: 398-4520, www.capk.org. Coordinated by the Community Action Partnership of Kern's Partnership Food Bank, with pantries and commodity sites throughout the county.

Senior Citizens Information and Referral Program: 417 W. Drummond Ave., Ridgecrest, 760-375-4322. The Senior Citizens Information help line is available for the elderly who need to find resources for transportation, homemaking help and other services. Offers adult day care and a senior center that prepares nutritious meals. Volunteers are available for transportation and in-home services.

Seniors Law Center: 615 California Ave., 325-5943, www.gbla.org.

A program of the Older Americans Act operated by Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc. Provides free legal services in civil matters for Kern County citizens 60 years and older. There is no income test, but preference is given to seniors who demonstrate the greatest economic or social need.

Representation is available in areas of public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Medi-Cal, food stamps and general assistance, Social Security (Title II) and Medicare, in-home supportive services and institutional care, subsidized housing, tenant protection, mobile home tenancies and eviction defense, and elder abuse.

Juliana's Art Studio & Gallery

Juliana's Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St., open Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays beginning Aug. 4. 327-7507.

Where and how to recycle

Recycling household trash such as newspapers, cardboard, junk mail, cans, bottles and plastic containers can be done in several ways in Kern County. Curbside recycling is available in some areas of the county. In some cities, curbside collection of recyclables is part of the standard garbage service. In others, like Bakersfield, there’s an additional charge for curbside pickup.

Recyclables can also be taken to community drop-off sites, located in church and school parking lots. Or, they can be redeemed for cash at one of the many recycling businesses around town that pay for materials such as metals, paper and beverage containers.

Curbside recycling

Bakersfield: A curbside recycling program is available to Bakersfield residents living in city and county areas for a fee. Those who sign up for the program receive a blue trash bin that is picked up every other week. Materials accepted include glass, aluminum, tin, steel, cardboard, paper, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, beverage containers and plastics No. 1 and No. 2. The rate for curbside recycling is $12 per quarter for city residents and for county residents living in the Bakersfield metro area.

To sign up for curbside recycling, call:
• City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division, 326-3114
• Kern County Waste Management, 322-6863
Arvin, Delano and McFarland: Curbside recycling is part of the regular trash service.
Eastern Kern County (Tehachapi, Rosamond, Mojave, California City and unincorporated areas): Recyclables can be thrown out with regular trash. Recyclable material is sorted out after collection.
Western Kern County (Wasco, Shafter and unincorporated parts of western Kern County except metro Bakersfield): No curbside recycling is offered.

Drop-off locations

Recyclables can be taken to large recycling bins located at several churches, schools and parks throughout Kern County. These groups redeem the material and use the money for programs and projects. For drop-off locations in Bakersfield and around the county, see the accompanying map.

Materials accepted at most locations include:
• glass containers
• aluminum, tin, steel, bi-metal cans, aluminum foil and pie pans
• white paper, cardboard, magazines, newspaper, phone books, mixed paper, junk mail
• plastic (No. 1 and No. 2)

Recycling for cash

There’s money to be made by recycling. Numerous recycling centers throughout the county will pay cash for your cans, bottles, scrap metal, appliances and paper.
Beverage containers (bottles and cans): To find a location, call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com and click “Where to Recycle.”

Scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous), paper and appliances: Refer to the Kern County Recycling Guide, found under “recycling” in the yellow pages of a local AT&T phone book, or on Kern County Waste Management’s Web site at www.co.kern.ca.us/wmd. The recycling guide contains names, addresses and phone numbers for local facilities that accept recyclable materials.

Special items

Household hazardous waste
The following items are accepted at Kern County Special Waste facilities, in Bakersfield at 4951 Standard St. , and at the Mojave Airport, 17035 Finnin St. The Bakersfield facility is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; the Mojave site is open 9 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month. To contact a facility, call 862-8922. They accept:
• automotive products
• batteries
• fluorescent light bulbs
• cleaning products, pool chemicals
• home generated “sharps” (injection needles)
• thermometers or other items containing mercury
• fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides
• paint and paint products
• televisions and computer monitors (19” or smaller)

Motor oil and oil filters
Accepted at many service stations, auto parts stores, recycling centers and most Kern County landfills. To locate a used oil collection center near you, visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov/UsedOil/Centers.

Appliances (large, nonworking)
• Golden State Metals, 2000 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, 327-3559
• Kern County Waste Management Department Disposal Sites, 862-8900
• Sierra Metals, 1620 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, 327-7073
• Midway Recycle/Western Scrap, 7200 Downing Ave., Bakersfield, 589-5712
• Appliances are accepted at all Kern County landfills and transfer stations. The county will also provide free curbside pickup of these items. Call 322-6863

Electronic waste
In general, this includes computer monitors and CPUs, laptops, computer accessories, televisions, answering machines, camcorders, CD and DVD players, copiers, electric typewriters, electronic games, fax machines, modems, pagers, printers, radios, remote controls, scanners, stereos, tape players, telephones, televisions, two-way radios, VCRs and word processors.
• Goodwill Industries (8 stores in Kern County)
• St. Vincent De Paul (3 stores in Kern County)
• Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens, 2240 S. Union Ave., Bakersfield, 397-3622
• Fortune Metals, 19421 Quinn Road, Bakersfield, 387-1100
• All Kern County landfills and transfer stations (see below), 862-8900

Private Elementary Schools

Adventist Christian School: 555 Las Flores Ave., Ridgecrest,
760-375-8673, www.ridgecrestsda.org/school, 1-8.

Bakersfield Carden School: 714 Columbus St., Suite A, Bakersfield, 325-2271, Pre-K-8.

Carden School of Tehachapi: 20419 Brian Way, Tehachapi, 822-9565,
K-8.

Heritage Christian Schools: 2401 Bernard St., Bakersfield, 871-4545, www.heritageschools.us, Pre-K-8.

Kern Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School: 30105 Riverside St., Shafter, 746-4467.

New Life Christian School: 4201 Stine Road, Bakersfield, 831-6252, Pre-K-8.

North Kern Christian School and Preschool: 710 Peters St., Wasco, 758-5997, age 2-grade 8.

Olive Knolls Christian School: 6201 Fruitvale Ave., Bakersfield, 393-3566, Pre-K-8.

Our Lady of Guadalupe School: 609 E. California Ave., Bakersfield,
323-6059, Pre-K-8.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School: 124 Columbus St., Bakersfield,
327-7741, K-8.

St. Francis Parish School: 2516 Palm St., Bakersfield, 326-7955, Pre-K-8.

St. John’s School: 929 Broadway St., Wasco, 758-6467, infant-grade 8.

St. John’s Lutheran School: 4500 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield,
664-8090, infant-grade 8.

South San Joaquin Christian School: 2222 9th Ave., Delano, 725-2827, Pre-K-4.

Stockdale Christian School: 4901 California Ave., Bakersfield,
327-3927, www.stockdalechristianschool.com, Pre-K-8.

Valley Achievement Center: Private, nonprofit school for autistic youth. 7300 Ming Ave., Bakersfield, 834-8670, www.autism-vac.org.

Private High Schools

Bakersfield Christian High School: 12775 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, 410-7000, www.bakersfieldchristian.com

Garces Memorial High School: 2800 Loma Linda Drive, Bakersfield,
327-2578, www.garces.org

School year calendar

Many Kern County schools follow the same calendar, but some vary. Contact your school district to verify whether the schedule below is accurate.

Many districts, including Kern’s largest — Bakersfield City School District and Kern High School District — will follow this schedule in 2008-09:

Aug. 18: First day of school

Sept. 1: Labor Day

Nov. 11: Veterans Day

Nov. 27-28: Thanksgiving break

Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter break

Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Feb. 9: Lincoln’s Birthday

Feb. 16: Washington’s Birthday

April 6-10: Spring break

May 25: Memorial Day

May 28: Last day of school

Kern County Superintendent of Schools

11300 17th St., Bakersfield, 636-4000, www.kern.org. Superintendent: Larry Reider (elected position). Services and programs of the office include:

Child Development Services: 1100 Ming Ave., Bakersfield, 835-7284, kcsos.kern.org/childdevelopment. Operates 16 child development sites, serving 1,200 children under the age of six throughout the county.

Community Connection for Child Care: 2000 24th St., Suite 100, Bakersfield, 861-5200, 877-861-5200, www.kernchildcare.org. Free customized referrals and information for families seeking child care. Partner in the CalWORKs welfare-to-work reform, provides assistance with child-care payments.
Community Schools: Provides instruction to students who have been expelled, are on probation or are not attending school for other reasons. Jeanne Hughes, 636-4319.

Kern Environmental Education Program: KEEP provides a five-day residential environmental education program for Kern County fifth and sixth-graders at two coastal-area campuses. Tom Anspach, 871-1883, www.campkeep.org
MOVE International: Provides training to help severely disabled adults and children gain mobility skills. MOVE was developed by Linda Bidabe, a former Kern County Superintendent of Schools special education teacher, and is used throughout the United States and overseas.
636-4561, 800-397-MOVE (6683), www.MOVE-international.org

Kern County Consortium Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA): SELPA provides special education programs and services to students from birth through age 21. 636-4801, kcsos.kern.org/specialed
Schools Legal Service: Offers legal services to school districts in Kern and other counties. 636-4830, kern.org,
www.schoolslegalservice.org

Self-Insured Schools of California: Provides workers’ compensation, health and welfare, property and liability, and other types of coverage to school districts in Kern and other counties throughout the state.
636-4710, sisc.kern.org

Transportation Services: Contracts out student transportation services to several Kern County school districts and agencies. 852-5800, kcsos.kern.org/transportation
Public schools

University of San Diego

University of San Diego

President: Mary E. Lyons

Area coordinator: Robert Sheldon

Bakersfield office: 5004 Crow Court, Bakersfield, CA 93312

587-9227

www.sandiego.edu

www.usd-online.org

Mission: “The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution committed to advancing academic excellence, expanding liberal and professional knowledge, creating a diverse and inclusive community and preparing leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service.”

Bakersfield enrollment: Between 50 and 75

Programs: Professional development classes for teachers. Classes are taught at Beardsley Junior High. Independent study and online courses are also offered.

Cost: Varies by class. Check the Web site for more information.

Kern County Employment Statistics

As of March 2008, there were an estimated 314,500 employed people in Kern County and a labor force of 352,600, according to data from the California Employment Development Department.

Some 38,100 people were unemployed. The county’s unemployment rate of 10.8 percent was up from 8.8 percent in the same month the previous year. That’s compared with an unemployment rate of 6.4 percent statewide and 5.2 percent nationally. Total jobs in the county grew to 273,000 in March 2008 from 268,000 in March 2007, a difference of 5,000.

Farm jobs grew by 1,200 to 31,500 during the same year, and nonfarm jobs grew by 3,800 to 237,700.

The most job growth was in clothing and accessory stores, up 23.5 percent to 2,100. The steepest decline was at general merchandise stores, down 9.1 percent to 1,000.

For more information, visit the Web site for the state Employment Development Department at www.edd.ca.gov.

Kern County's Top Employers

Kern County public schools: 27,000

Edwards Air Force Base: 11,285

County of Kern: 9,339

Grimmway Enterprises: 6,300

China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station: 6,192

Giumarra Vineyards: 4,000

Catholic Healthcare West: 2,952

Esparza Enterprises: 2,915

Wm. Bolthouse Farms: 2,350*

Sunview Vineyards: 2,000*

Sun World: 1,600

City of Bakersfield: 1,420

Bear Creek Production Company: 1,250

Chevron USA: 1,200

San Joaquin Community Hospital: 1,100

Paramount Citrus: 1,096*

Cal State Bakersfield: 1,069

State Farm Insurance: 1,020

Community Action Partnership of Kern: 924

U.S. Borax: 900*

Kaiser Permanente: 900

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream: 853

Aera Energy LLC: 850

Sears Logistics: 725

Frito Lay: 706

Target Distribution Center: 653*

*2006 data

Source: Californian research and Kern Economic Development Corp.

Kern County's Oil and Gas Facts

Kern County is a major oil producer. In fact, most of California’s oil production comes from Kern County — 76 percent as of 2006, to be exact.

Here are some highlights of the local oil industry:

• The industry has a long history. The Sunset portion of the Midway-Sunset oil field was discovered in 1890, followed by McKittrick in 1898, Kern River in 1899 and the Midway section of Midway-Sunset in 1900. All three fields, and dozens of others in Kern County, continue to churn out oil, helping fuel the region’s economy, as well as the cars and trucks we drive.

• The top five oil-producing fields in the state are all located in Kern County. Midway-Sunset leads the pack, followed by South Belridge, Kern River, Cymric and Elk Hills. Elk Hills is also the largest natural gas field in California.
Regional activity in 2006

• Crude oil produced: 170.2 million barrels.

• Natural gas produced: 170.7 billion cubic feet.

• Number of producing oil wells: 39,883. (That’s out of 49,879 statewide.)

• Number of producing natural gas wells: 183.

• Number of wells drilled: 1,811.
As of 2006, the top five oil producers in this area were Chevron, Aera Energy, Occidental of Elk Hills, Plains Exploration and Production and Berry Petroleum. They produce most of the oil in this area.

• Most of the oil that comes out of the ground in Kern County is characterized as heavy. It has the consistency of molasses. Steam is injected into the ground to loosen the oil and make it easier to retrieve.

• Bakersfield is home to three oil refineries: Flying J’s Big West of California refinery on Rosedale Highway, San Joaquin Refining Co. on Standard Street and Kern Oil & Refining Co. on East Panama Lane.

• The deepest onshore oil well drilled in California was drilled in 1987 in Kern County by Occidental of Elk Hills. It reached a depth of 24,426 feet.

• Taft Union High School is home to an oil and technology academy, designed to prepare students for a career in these industries.

You can learn more about the local oil industry, including its history, at the West Kern Oil Museum in Taft and “Black Gold,” a permanent oil exhibit at the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield.

Sources: California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources; California Energy Commission; Californian research.

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