CALIFORNIA'S FIRST DRILLED OIL WELLS - View this location on map  - California's first drilled oil wells that produced crude to be refined and sold commercially were located on the North Fork of the Mattole River approximately three miles east of here. The old Union Mattole Oil Company made its first shipment of oil from here, to a San Francisco refinery, in June 1865. Many old well heads remain today. 100 Matolle Rd, Petrolia, California Historical |