California Museums
California Oil Museums List and Information
California Oil Museum
National Register Historic Site
#86002619
1001 E. Main St.
Santa Paula, CA 93061
805.933.0076 tel
oilmuseum.net
Open: 10 am. to 4 p.m., Wed - Sun
$4 Adult, $3 Senior, $1 Youth
Guided tours are available: jorcutt@spcity.org
Getting there: Exit 10th St from the 126
Fwy
Guided tours are available: (805)
933-0076 x291 or jorcutt@spcity.org
Operated by the City of Santa Paula
Community Services Department, the
Museum highlights the inner workings of
the state's black gold industry through
interactive displays, videos, working
models, games, photographs, restored gas
station memorabilia, and an authentic
turn-of-the-century cable-tool drilling
rig.
e permanent exhibits of the Museum
explore the world of petroleum
technology, science, and history in
California. In W. M. Keck, Sr. Hall, the
workings and history of the oil and gas
are explained through video programs,
interactive models, computer displays,
artifacts, photographs, and a variety of
historical memorabilia.
The Rig Building contains an authentic
1890s drilling rig that has been
restored to working order. This
cast-iron and wooden-timber drilling rig
was salvaged from the local oilfields
during the 1940s.
The Museum's Second Story has been
carefully restored to reflect the
original appearance of Union Oil
Company's 1890 corporate headquarters.
It is considered one of the finest
commercial building restorations in
California of the late Victorian era.
The Second Story also contains a
1930s-era Apartment that has been
re-created the residential occupation of
the building during the Great Depression
and WWII years.
The 1890 Museum Building has been
designated a National Register Historic
Site for its exceptional Victorian-Queen
Anne architecture and its historical
importance as the original headquarters
of one of the great California oil
companies, Union Oil Company of
California.
Lundgren Park is located on the Museum
grounds and is available for picnics.
A 1900 iron and timber full-size
operating drilling rig is one of the
major permanent attractions of the
Museum!