North Branch Berkeley Public Library

Historical marker location:

1170 The Alameda, Berkeley, California

( Marker is on The Alameda near Hopkins Street, on the right when traveling south.)

Marker installed: 2004

James W. Plachek, Architect, 1936.

California was the site of the nation's first successful oil well in 1892. The well was drilled in the city of Los Angeles and produced about 25 barrels of oil a day. Today, California remains a major oil-producing state.