“The Rig is up and Machinery Installed.” This headline called attention to the highly publicized oil venture that was consuming many Arcadians.
On November 20. 1923, oil well # 1 was “spudded in” and work on the ‘test well would be rushed with all possible speed with safety, using modern standard equipment.”
The Vosburgh Oil Corporation kept Arcadian investors up to date on the oil-drilling venture that was taking place on 124 acres of land east of Santa Anita Avenue and Second Avenue, south of Live Oak. The tower, 114 feet in height was built for both rotary and standard tools. No oil was found at a depth of 4,000 feet and none again at 5,000 feet. The drilling venture ceased and investors took their losses in stride. No oil fortunes in their futures, and none for that of the city of Arcadia.
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Carol Libby and Karen Hou
Carol Libby & Karen Hou
Arcadia Historical Society