Francisco Garces

Historical marker location:

Bakersfield, California

( Marker is at the intersection of North Chester Avenue and Golden State Highway (California Route 204), in the median on North Chester Avenue.)

Marker installed: 1939

1738 1781. Spanish Franciscan.

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.