The Boom Town That Lived A Brief History of Coalinga by Bill Howell Located in Fresno County, Coalinga is one of the few cities that began as a mining town, and survived. Oil has provided the community with over 100 years of relative prosperity, but it was the discovery of coal that inspired the naming of the town when laid out by Southern Pacific Railroad engineers in 1891. Legend has it during those days; there were three coaling stations; Stations “A”, “B” and “C”. The name Coalinga is derived from mixing “Coaling” with Station “A”, to arrive . Interest in oil seepage’s inspired an “oil rush” to the area in 1865 that was described as “Not unlike a gold discovery.” This early interest died primarily because of shipping problems and the world had not yet discovered the full potential of petroleum. While Southern Pacific Railroad showed little interest in oil production, it extended the tracks from Huron because of coal discoveries. In 1889 the Coalinga Post Office was established and in 1891, the Southern Pacific Railroad purchased 160 acres of homestead owned by M.L. Curtis establishing the present site of Coalinga. The extension of the railroad coincided with a significant worldwide interest in oil production as the coal mines proved to be of little value, the second “oil rush” of 1890 was very successful. By 1910, Coalinga was the third largest shipping point for the railroad in California, with nearly all the tonnage connected to oil production. A handful of local citizens began the process of incorporation, which was completed in April of 1906 and in 1909, the Coalinga Chamber of Commerce was organized. In it’s first report dated April 16, 1910, there was plenty to “crow” about as the Coalinga oil field was reported as the largest in California because earlier in September 1909, the Silver Tip well, just one-half mile from the city limits, blew with the greatest gusher known in California at that time. This caused enough excitement that the Los Angeles Stock Exchange closed on a Friday, so that its members could come to Coalinga on a special excursion. Coalinga’s oil field produced men and companies who were to become some of the giants of the industry, one of these was R.C. Baker, founder of Baker Oil Tools. (His original buildings still in Coalinga, are now the home of the R.C. Baker Memorial Museum, one of the outstanding small museums in the state, focusing on oil, the geology of the area and all phases of pioneer life.) Grammar schools date from the earliest settlers in the area. The first high school was built in 1910 and the first graduation class, all three members, graduated in 1912. In 1913, the women of Coalinga promoted a library district receiving a Carnegie grant valued at $14,000 a building was erected in 1916. In 1918, Coalinga veterans of the “World War” began organizing a local veteran’s organization. This idea spread until it reached statewide interest. When veterans met in 1919 to establish the American Legion, Coalinga was designated Post number 2 in California. Post-number 1 in San Francisco gave their support to later designate Coalinga as “Mother Post” of California. This patriotic spirit has never faded. From World War I through the latest military involvements, Coalinga men and women have served their country honorably. A junior college, Coalinga Junior College was established in 1932. Late to renamed to West Hills Community College serving students from Coalinga, Mendota, Firebaugh, Lemoore, Avenal and Huron. In 1933, the Junior Chamber of Commerce hosted an impromptu racing of various wild “annual running of the “Horned Toads” beginning the Annual Horned Toad Derby. The only years missed since 1933 were the war years, 1942-1945 and 1983, due to the Coalinga earthquake. The Horned Toad was adopted by the High School as its mascot in 1938, the fight song, words and music written by a Coalinga student. Drinking water was in short supply in the early days of Coalinga so in order to meet this challenge, Coalinga’s drinking water had always been imported. Until approximately 1972, every Coalinga residence had three water faucets in the kitchen – hot, cold, and drinking water. Until 1960 the major source of drinking water was from artesian water wells in Armona, CA about 45 miles away and was owned by Southern Pacific Railroad Company. In 1960, Coalinga was selected to implement an experimental system to soften hard water. The first of these was an ionic system, later replaced by the reverse osmosis method which came to be used throughout the world to convert even sea water to a drinkable state. In 1972, when Coalinga received its first delivery of San Luis Canal water from the State/Federal water system, the third faucet was no longer needed. This came almost 66 years to the day following incorporation of the city. Before 1972, agriculture was limited to growing cotton, and other salt-water resistant crops. With the coming of canal water, the area has become rich in specialty crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, asparagus, garlic, and a variety of nut and fruit trees. A first was chalked up for Coalinga when it hired Kay Halloway in 1973 as the first female police chief in the United States. Prior to that, a Coalinga woman, Jeanne Peterson, stirred up the State in 1932 when she was appointed Coalinga’s constable to complete the term of her late husband. At the time it was thought that she may have been the highest ranking female law enforcement officer in the nation. She continued to hold this position until she retired some 16 years later. The biggest test for the existence of the city came on May 2, 1983, when Coalinga experienced the 6.7 earthquake that leveled a significant portion of the business district. Residents realized that the oil was not going to last forever and the earthquake was the catalyst that inspired the City to look for new economic opportunities. It was successful having the State Department of Corrections locate a major prison facility in the Pleasant Valley in 1991, Coalinga State Hospital in 2006, a 40-acre industrial park adjacent to the city. In addition there is an $8 million airport facility and in 1998, the residents approved a bond issue for a new $14 million hospital, the Coalinga Regional Medical Center, with the latest in medicine technology. Since 1983, the Coalinga Huron Parks and Recreation District has expanded its facilities, constructing a community center, fitness center and a senior citizen’s center. Also in cooperation with the City of Coalinga a new skate park has been built, and several parks promoting soccer, basketball, walking trails and even an outdoor amphitheater have emerged. City street and sidewalks, and new businesses continue to add to the independent spirit of this, mid state city along the I-5 corridor. Is the Oil Town of 1906 going to last? The roots are deep, just add water and watch us grow! |
|
| History of Coalinga |
| Contact us: 559-935-2948 Office Hours: M-F 10am - 4Pm We are located: 380 Coalinga Plaza Coalinga, Ca 93210 Email: exec@coalingachamber.com |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| CONTACT US: |