Pioneer Oil Refinery
historic place
The Pioneer Oil Refinery, located in Santa Clarita, California, in Los Angeles County, was built in 1876 by the California Star Oil Works, a predecessor to Chevron. This site is recognized as California's first successful oil refinery. It is also believed to be the oldest existing refinery in the world. The refinery processed oil from Pico Canyon, operating until about 1888. The site received its first historical recognition in 1930. It was designated California Historical Landmark No. 172 on March 6, 1935. In 1975, it became a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. In 2020, the Pioneer Oil Refinery was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Chevron donated the site to the City of Santa Clarita in 1997. The city is preserving this location, with plans for an educational park. The historical marker, erected in 1930 by Standard Oil Company of California, notes that in 1875, the Star Oil Company drilled its first Pico Canyon well. This discovery led to the erection of California's first commercial oil refinery the following year. This site is important for understanding the early oil industry in California.