Mckittrick tells a story of oil production, geological tar seeps, and earlier uses of the landscape. State Route 33 runs through the town; the historical and geological points of interest lie in different places in the surrounding area. Keeping them distinct in time and place gives a clear impression of the many layers of the town’s history.
Oil Field and Landmark
California Standard Oil Well 1 was among the early wells that established the new McKittrick Field in 1899. During its first six months, the well produced about 150 barrels of oil per day. The well’s final production took place in April 1929. Together, these milestones trace the path from the early oil field to the end of production at this particular well.
The McKittrick Brea Pit is designated a California Historical Landmark. It lies at the southwest corner of the intersection of State Highway 33 and State Highway 58, half a mile south of Mckittrick. The intersection and compass direction provide a precise geographical reference for this historical designation. This connects the history of drilling with another named place in the surrounding area.
Tar Seeps and Landscape
The McKittrick Tar Seeps lie immediately west of the town, in the foothills of the Temblor Range. Their history goes beyond industrial oil extraction: local Yokut people from the southern San Joaquin Valley were the first people to use the tar seeps. Mckittrick and its surroundings thus encompass both early uses of the landscape and later oil production.
The landscape in western Kern County also visibly reflects the region’s connection to oil: the brown hills are dotted with oil production equipment, which is more prominent there than trees. This description provides a landscape setting for the historical theme without conflating the well, oil field, and tar seeps as one place.
Regional Oil History and Local History
An earlier chapter leads to the Buena Vista Refinery, one of California’s first commercial oil refineries. Its site was ten miles north of Mckittrick. From August 1864 to April 1867, about 4,000 gallons of illuminating oil were shipped from there to San Francisco. These years precede the establishment of McKittrick Field in 1899 and broaden the timeframe of the region’s oil history.
The hotel’s history also belongs to the past: the McKittrick Hotel and Penny Bar, which is no longer in operation, directly succeeded the Headquarters Hotel and Saloon, built by Armando Bandattini in 1898. Hugh Gene Devine rebuilt the hotel in 1929. In its historical role, it provided rooms, equipment, supplies for livestock keepers, dry goods, food, and drinks to oil workers and ranchers in western Kern County. This describes the establishment’s former offerings, not services available today.
Kern as a Broader Travel Region
The wider Kern destination offers additional, distinct visitor experiences. Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area is in eastern Kern County, next to State Route 14, on the western edge of the Mojave Desert. Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park is open to the public only as part of guided tours; check tour dates before your trip. This makes the access requirement clear if you include the park in your travel plans.
Ricardo Campground in Red Rock Canyon State Park has 50 basic campsites, drinking water, vault toilets, fire rings, and tables. Since amenities may change, check before visiting. Recreation opportunities at Lake Isabella are managed by the U.S. Forest Service. These examples from across Kern represent different kinds of visits and recreation from the oil history that defines Mckittrick.
Discover more destinations: Shafter, Tehachapi, Taft, Boron, Buttonwillow, Pine Mountain Club, Inyokern, Lost Hills.
For the broader travel overview: Kern.
