Site information:

50 ft SE of Round Mountain Rd, 0.7 mi E of China Grade Loop, 7 mi NE of Bakersfield

35.428214,-118.954839

Plaque information:

Private plaque. 

The plaque is on private, gated property and inaccessible, but the plaque is visible from the road.  in 2020 a sign was installed on the fence so the information can be read by visitors.

Plaque text:

Discovery Well Kern River Field

Oil was discovered at 70 feet in 1899, when Tom Means persuaded Roe Elwood and Frank Wiseman, aided by Jonathan, Bert, Jed, and Ken Elwood, George Wiseman, and John Marlowe, to dig here for oil. On June 1, 1899, 400 feet to the north, Horace and Milton McWhorter drilled this region's first commercial well.

Dedicated April 7, 1940 Bakersfield Parlor No.43 N.S.G.W., El Tejon Parlor No.239 N.D.G.W., Kern County Historical Society, Kern County Chamber of Commerce. Department of Natural Resources Reg. No. 290. State of California.

Registered 6/27/1938