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A Brief History Of Coalinga
Coalinga is
the only incorporated city in Fresno County, and one of the
few in California, that began as a mining boom town and survived.
This longevity is now over 100 years old as a community. The
city of Coalinga celebrated its 90th birthday in 1996 as an
incorporated city.
Oil is the
mineral that has provided Coalinga with over l00 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 at the naming of the city.
Oil was an
important trade item to inhabitants of the area long before
the first European settlers began to immigrate to the new
world. Seepages in the area provided an asphalt used to line
baskets and as a trade item with other native American tribes.
Interest in
these seepages inspired an "oil rush" to the area
in 1865 that was described in news accounts as Not unlike
a gold discovery. In 1867, a specialized oil drilling rig
was shipped around the Horn from the east coast and began
drilling for oil north of the present site of Coalinga. This
early interest was to die down primarily because of shipping
problems and the world had not yet discovered the full potential
of petroleum.
The discovery
of low grade coal deposits helped solve the transportation
problem. The use of petroleum as a substitute for coal as
a fuel began the rush to produce more of the 'black gold'.
In the nearby
foothills is also the worlds only known deposit of Benitoite,
adopted a few years ago as the State Gem.
While Southern
Pacific Railroad showed no interest in oil production during
those early days, it extended the tracks from Huron because
of the coal discoveries.
In 1889, the
Coalinga post office was established and in 1891 Southern
Pacific Railroad purchased the 160 acres homestead of M. L.
Curtis and laid out the town site of Coalinga.
The extension
of the railroad coincided with a significant worldwide interest
in oil productions. As the coal mines proved to be of little
value, the second "oil rush' of 1890 proved Southern
Pacific's investment to be a sound one. By 1910, Coalinga
was the third largest shipping point for the railroad in California
with nearly all tonnage connected with oil production.
With over
15 years of continuous prosperity behind them, a handful of
local citizens began the process of incorporation, which was
completed in April 1906.
Recognized
as being a 'boom town" not unlike those established in
the gold country, these pioneers saw a future for the city
that would extend its life far beyond the longevity of most
of the gold rush communities whose flame flickered and died
as the mother lode faded away. This faith has been justified
as Coalinga celebrates 90 years of incorporation with oil
supplying the major portion of its prosperity during the period.
In 1909, the
Coalinga Chamber of Commerce was organized and in its first
report dated April 16, 1910, there was plenty to "crow'
about. The Coalinga oil field was the largest in California.
In September 1909, the Silver Tip well, just one-half mile
from the city limits, blew in with the greatest gusher known
in California at that time. This discovery caused enough excitement
among the financiers of California that the Los Angeles Stock
Exchanged was closed on a Friday in November so that members
could come to Coalinga on a special excursion.
Coalinga's
oil field of that time was to produce men and companies who
were to become some of the giants of the industry. Just one
of these was R. C. Baker, founder of Baker Oil Tools. His
original buildings in Coalinga are now home of the R. C. Baker
Memorial Museum, one of the outstanding small museums in the
state. It focuses not only on oil, but all phases of pioneer
life in the Coalinga area.
In those early
days there was no one to provide natural gas to customer in
Coalinga. The City simply contracted with nearby oil companies
to supply natural gas from their wells, which was then re-sold
to city residents. To this day, Coalinga is nearly unique
as being one of just a handful of cities to operate this utility.
Natural gas is currently purchased from major suppliers for
residents.
Drinking water
was also in short supply in Pleasant Valley. To meet this
challenge, Coalinga's drinking water has always been imported.
Until 1972, every Coalinga residence had three water faucets
in the kitchen; hot water, cold water and drinking water.
Until 1960 the major source of drinking water was water wells
in Armona owned by Southern Pacific. This water shipped to
Coalinga in tank cars for distribution. In 1960, Coalinga
was a site selected from experimental systems to soften hard
water to a point where it was palatable for human consumption.
The first of these was an ionic system that was later replaced
by the reverse osmosis method that was eventually to be commonly
used throughout the world to convert even sea water to a drinkable
state.
The third
faucet was not to become an unused conversation piece until
1972 when Coalinga received its first delivery of San Luis
Canal water from the state water system. This April 1972 date
came almost 66 years to the day following incorporation of
the city.
While oil
was the staple of the local economy, agriculture always played
an important part. Before 1972, agriculture was limited to
growing cotton and other salt water resistant crops. With
the arrival of the canal water, the area now has become a
region of specialty crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, asparagus
and a variety of nut and fruit trees.
In the early
days, the women of Coalinga recognized that a library was
needed. Their answer was to form a library district. An Andrew
Carnegie grant was secured and Coalinga has a library that
can challenge many counties in California.
In 1918, Coalinga
veterans of the "World War" began organizing a local
Great War Veterans organization. This idea spread through
the efforts of local organizers until it reached state-wide
interest. When veterans met in 1919 to establish the American
Legion, Coalinga was designated Post #2 in California. Post
#1 in San Francisco lent their support to designate Coalinga
as the "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.
In 1933 Junior
Chamber of Commerce became involved in an impromptu racing
of various wild critters during an official function of that
group. This evolved into the Coalinga Horned Toad Derby and
this year will see the 6lst annual running of the "Horned
Toads". The only years missed since 1993 were the years
1942-1945, when Coalinga residents, along with the rest of
the United States were busy winning a war.
The Horned
Toad was adopted by the high school as its mascot in 1938.
The Fighting Horned Toads are unique in the nation as a mascot.
Even the fight song, words and music, was written by a student
who wanted something different than a copy of some midwestern
university fight song to play at football games.
Education
has always been important in Coalinga. 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. Recognizing the need
for an opportunity for the youth of the city to expand their
education beyond a high school, a junior college was established
in 1932. Academically, Coalinga residents have proven themselves
in every field, with many gaining he highest recognition.
Coalinga High School and West Hills Community College graduates
have been involved in worldwide impacting work ranging from
the development of one of the first mechanical cotton pickers
to significant deveopments in the landing system of the space
shuttle.
In athletics,
Coalinga High School and West Hills graduates have scored
touchdowns in the Rose Bowl game. Many have excelled in athletics
while earning their education at major universities. Today,
there are Coalinga athletes in major universities. Some graduates
have gone onto fame in the professional ranks, especially
in football and baseball. During the heyday of boxing, some
young men were to become recognized as world class fighters.
There have been many championship seasons in Coalinga in all
sports. One of these seasons was the five man track team that
won the state championship in 1917. More recently has been
national recognition for the fine performances of the West
Hills College rodeo teams.
Coalinga natives
have also gone on to fame in the entertainment field, some
gaining worldwide recognition for accomplishments.
The West Hills
College campus is where the WAMBOBASS balloon festival is
held each November. This annual celebration is held on the
weekend closest to the anniversary of man's first successful
balloon flight.
A first was chalked up for Coalinga when it hired Luella Kay Good in 1975 as the first female police chief in the United States. Prior to that, while still part of the Fresno County Constable system of law enforcement, a Coalinga woman, Jeanne Peterson, stirred up the State in 1932 when she successfully ran for the job of constable held by her late husband. She continued to hold the 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 and caused over $31 million
in damages. There was open speculation that Coalinga would
not survive this disaster. The disaster proved, however, to
be just another challenge to residents determined to disprove
these speculations. Coalinga has a history of meeting challenges.
With a spirit
of getting things done, Coalinga residents rolled up their
sleeves and began not only to recover from the earthquake,
but to enter into a new period of prosperity.
By May 1983,
residents realized that the oil was not going to last forever.
The earthquake was the catalyst that inspired the City to
revitalize in more ways than just new buildings. The City
was successful in their effort to have the Department of Corrections
locate a major prison facility in the Pleasant Valley. The
$36 million industry was the major revenue source to replace
a fading oil income.
With this
as an economic base, the City has developed a 40 acre industrial
park ready for occupancy in addition to a brand new $8 million
facility with a 100' by 5,000' runway. This combined with
the mid-way location of the City along the busy 1-5 corridor,
is expected to diversify the Coalinga economy as state growth
continues. Coalinga is nearly equidistant from the major Northern
and Southern California metropolitan centers.
In 1988 the
residents approved a bond issue for a new hospital. This S14
million facility was the first small town hospital constructed
in the United States in several years. While other smaller
cities and towns throughout the nation are experiencing problems
in attracting doctors to locate in their community, Coalinga
Regional Medical Center, with the latest in medical technology,
is constructing new office buildings to accommodate the medical
practitioners who choose to practice here.
Since 1983
the Coalinga Huron Parks & Recreation District has expanded
its facilities. Twelve recreational sites have benefited from
over S2 million in construction including a first class combination
youth entertainment and community center plus a top flight
light center and first class senior citizens center.
In 1991, Coalinga
completed an 800 acre annexation, increasing the city limits
by 25%.
Is Coalinga
meeting the challenge of recovery? Since the earthquake, housing
has grown from 2,700 units on May 2, 1983 to nearly 3,500
today. The population has increased from 8,000 on May 2, 1983
to over 10,000 today. From an operation budget of under S2
million in 1983, the City's combined operation, enterprise
funds and redevelopment budget in 1995 exceeded a balance
$30 million.
Is the boom
town of 1906 going to last? The roots are deep -- just add
water and watch it grow! |
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