Taft can be explored through various aspects of local history and city life. The West Kern Oil Museum documents the history of Taft and the petroleum industry; Taft Historic Fort adds a distinct architectural history to this picture. Oildorado adds a recurring festival tradition. In the city center, the Taft Oilworker Monument and Rails to Trails offer additional points of reference. You can focus your trip on local history, the festival, or a walking and biking trail. For planning purposes, it is worth distinguishing Oildorado’s special schedule from Taft’s other attractions.
Oildorado: A Festival Held Every Five Years
Oildorado takes place every five years. Exceptions were made during World War II and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The festival runs for ten days. Its frequency and duration answer different planning questions: the five-year interval helps you choose a travel year, while the ten days describe the festival’s timeframe. If Oildorado is the reason for your trip to Taft, check the specific festival dates before finalizing your travel plans.
Oildorado traditions included oil-industry skills competitions. The historical examples come from different festival years: in 1950, wire-rope splicing was demonstrated; in 1965, pulling tubing from wells; in 1980, there were earthmoving and welding competitions; and in 2005, competitions in pipefitting and crane operation. The examples show the range of these competitions: from splicing and assembly work to earthmoving, welding, and crane operation. Alongside the recurring festival, a documented tradition of practical skills is part of Oildorado’s history.
Oil History and Architectural History
The West Kern Oil Museum is located near Highway 33 and Wood Street in Taft. It focuses on both the city’s history and the petroleum industry. If you want to get to know Taft through its past, the museum brings together two subjects: the history of the place and the industry it documents.
Taft Historic Fort offers a different historical perspective. It was built between 1938 and 1940 as part of a WPA project during the Great Depression by 83 workers. The workers hand-made the adobe bricks for the 14-foot-high walls. The fort was modeled after Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento, which was built in 1840. The dates make the distinction between the model and Taft Historic Fort clear: one structure dates to 1840, while the other was built between 1938 and 1940. In addition to its architectural history, Taft Historic Fort serves as a venue for weddings, fundraisers, civic events, and other occasions.
Monument and Rails to Trails in the City Center
The Taft Oilworker Monument is located at the corner of South 6th Street and Supply Row, near Rails to Trails in downtown Taft. Rails to Trails is 1.1 miles long and is a walking and biking trail. These offer different points of reference for planning: a precisely named location for the monument, a stated length for the trail, and the museum as a place to learn about Taft’s history and the petroleum industry. When weighing your interests, you can choose between these historical subjects and an activity on the walking and biking trail.
Taft in the Larger Kern Destination
Within the larger Kern destination, Taft is east of Carrizo Plain National Monument. Information about the monument is available at the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 400 Kern Street. This regional connection adds another point of reference within the Kern destination to your orientation around Taft.
Discover more destinations: Arvin, Wasco, Wofford Heights, Boron, Shafter, Kernville, Lamont, Lebec.
Return to the main travel overview: Kern.
