Lyon's Station Refinery
Lyon's Station refinery. Drawing from Among Ourselves (a Standard Oil publication), September, 1929. The refinery originally only had one still. It had a daily capacity of 15 barrels. A barrel is 42 gallons, so that was 630 gallons per day. A second still with a capacity of 20 barrels (840 gallons) would be added about two years after the refinery was finished. This was not California's first refinery.
The two stills from the Lyon's Station refinery were moved to the Andrew's Station refinery in 1877 when it was constructed. They were the first two of the eventual four stills there. In 1961, Standard Oil Company moved them to Richmond, California, for their new oil museum. The museum was closed many years ago, but the two stills remain there. Here they are in a 2016 photo from the SCVHistory website. At Lyon's Station, it is highly unlikely that the two stills were part of the same brick base, like this setup shows, because they were built about two years apart. When they were moved to the refinery near Andrew's Station, they were combined into one brick base, like this one. Photos show that the stills, the steam boiler, and the hardware were moved to the museum, but the bricks were left behind. This brick base was built at the museum in 1961. The white sign on the bricks says:
"This early refinery, the first in California, was built in 1875 at Newhall, in Southern California, by the California Star Oil Works. Capacity of the two stills was 40 barrels per day. Crude oil for the refinery was produced in nearby Pico Canyon. It was transported to the plant in wooden barrels by horse and wagon. The crude was stored in tanks above the refinery and flowed to the stills by gravity. Principle products refined at Newhall were illuminating oils, then the petroleum industry's principle sellers, and lubricants for machinery. The Newhall refinery was suplemented in 1880 by new larger works at Alameda."
There are many errors on this sign. It seems like Standard touted everything theirs as "the first." As we shall see, the Lyon's Station refinery was not the first refinery in California. This refinery was completed in 1874 by the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company and, after only three years, would be replaced by the Andrew's Station refinery in 1877.
Early Refineries
Bitumen (or asphalt) seepages were found to be relatively common in the canyons of, called at that time, the San Fernando Mountains in northwest Los Angeles County, California. These included Pico, Towsley, Wiley, Rice, Dewitt, and Elsmere canyons. Today, the first five canyons are in the Santa Susana Mountains and Elsmere is in the San Gabriel Mountains. The "San Fernando Mountains" is no longer used. Of course, the native Americans were aware of the seepages and used the asphalt for sealing baskets, roofing, and other tasks. After the white man arrived, they realized that it was a potentially valuable mineral for flooring, roofing, and paving streets, and started using it on a small scale for some of these tasks. But even more valuable would be its use for illumination and lubrication. However, refineries would be necessary to separate the crude oil into its components. Refineries close to the source of the crude would be especially important to keep transportation costs down.
There were many refineries built in California prior to the Lyon's Station refinery. However, the legend that Andres Pico refined oil at the San Fernando Mission in the 1850's has never been proved. But, olive oil was refined at the mission, and it could have been mistaken for oil since its color is black. This legend seems to have started in the 1880's and should be laid to rest.
As early as 1856 it was reported that a Mr. Howard distilled paraffine from asphaltum, erecting a chemical works near Los Angeles.(1) Prior to 1857, a Mr. Dreyfuss manufactured oil from tar near Los Angeles and "was successful in producing an excellent article for use in the lamp."(2) Mr. R. Carlisle & Company manufactured Kerosine from springs in Monterey County "with profit for several years."(2) In 1857, Charles Morrell attempted to produce coal oil from crude near Carpenteria. He erected "extensive works" for refining by distillation.(3)
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George S. Gilbert |
George Gilbert had "much success and profit" in Los Angeles in 1860 and '61. After land ownership problems in LA (he was evidently forcibly removed from the property, abandoning his equipment), he moved to Ventura County. He was also successful there. His refinery stills blew up in May of 1861 causing a fire to destroy the refinery. He traveled to San Francisco to get replacement equipment which he evidently did because the refinery is reported to have operated until about 1863.(4)
Here is a letter from a Dr. Brinkerhoff from the Daily Alta California of May 1, 1865:
"I have been a practising physician in the town of Santa Barbara for twelve years past. Am well acquainted with Mr. Gilbert, and know he had at San Buenaventura an oil refinery, for the purpose of refining the crude petroleum oil of that neighborhood and that he did so refine a large amount, and that most of the inhabitants throughout the county used Mr. Gilbert's oil for burning. I used the oil he manufactured up to the time his factory was destroyed by fire."
This letter was in the Daily Alta California of May 3, 1865, from Charles E. Huse:
"I burned at my house, in Santa Barbara, for more than a year, coal oil which was distilled by George Gilbert, from petroleum taken from the lower end of the rancho of Ojai, in the County of Santa Barbara. Mr. Gilbert distilled hundreds of barrels of oil from petroleum taken from those flourishing springs which abound in the County of Santa Barbara, and sold a portion of the product to the people of that County, who burned it in their coal oil lamps, and he sent the remainder to San Francisco to be consumed there."
Samuel F. Peckham visited the region in 1866. He writes in a Appendix in a geology work published by the Geological Survey of California (4b):
"These malthas [in Ventura] were worked, a few years since, by Mr. Gilbert of San Buenaventura, in a refinery of quite limited capacity. I am told his results were variable, and not on the whole a pecuniary success. A sample of his burning oil that I have seen would not at present command a sale. Mr. Gilbert informed me that this insufficient supply of crude material was one of the chief obstacles to the success of their pioneer enterprise."
Hayward, Coleman & Company operated between 1865 and 1867 in San Francisco, before closing due to high costs. It was reported that they refined crude petroleum "purchased from Mr. Baker, whose place is about seven or eight miles from the deep cut (called Beale's Cut today) at San Fernando. At Baker's, the oil is continually seeping out of the rocks." Robert S. Baker's place was Pico Canyon where the oil was seeping from Pico Springs.(5)
Peckham writes(4b):
"The refinery of this company [Hayward Petroleum Company] is in San Francisco. It contains four stills. The processes employed for the manufacture of Eastern oils were found to be entirely unfitted for the manipulation of the oils of this region. Processes have, however, been discovered, after repeated experiment, which now furnish very satisfactory results."
The Stanford Brothers were also refiners in San Francisco.(6) From Peckham (4b): "This company's refinery is also located in San Francisco, and their experience in refining oils has been very similar to that of the Hayward Petroleum Company."
The Philadelphia & California Petroleum Company had a refinery on the Camulas Rancho in 1865.(7) In 1864 (or 66) the Buena Vista Company erected a refinery in McKittrick. It shut down in 1867.(8) In 1865, the Santa Cruz Petroleum Company produced 700 gallons of coal oil good for illuminating and lubricating.(9)
In 1866, there was the Los Angeles Pioneer Oil Company's refinery. The refiner was Albert A. Polhamus. "Mr. A. Polhammos is refining the oil from San Fernando at present, and is producing a very superior article; his machinery oil cannot be excelled in the Eastern States."(10)
Again from Peckham(4b):
"Mr. Polhemus has a small refinery near his second well. His first attempt at distillation accidentally caused the destructio, by fire, of his engine and most of his apparatus. Nothing daunted, he again placed his still and apparatus in order, and at the date of my last visit (June 16), he had made sixteen barrels of burning oil, pronounced by those who had tested it to be of very good quality. He used the oil of the Pico Spring, and sixty barrels of very dense maltha, from the well upon the Tousley Claim."
Also in 1866, Charles Stott set up a small refinery in Ventura County on Santa Paula creek, Ojai ranch. He made several thousand gallons of illuminating oil. Stott even patented a process (U.S. Patent #68257, August 27, 1867) using jets of steam to distill heated crude oil. However, his refinery was financially unsuccessful and, like the others, failed.(11)
Letter from Thomas R. Bard to Samuel F. Peckham, Ojai Ranch, November 6, 1866:(12)
"Stott has made quite a stir among the people hereabouts, having made about 20 bbls very nice looking and a fair burning oil of Wheeler's refused oil (crude) and alleges to have made it without the use of acid of other chemical - and is able to run his stills twice in twenty-four hours. He went to Frisco immediately after making his oil and has not returned yet. He located his refinery in Bontragers Canon. Is now trying to raise the wind to go ahead and I see has advertised to sell an interest in his refinery and oil property for $10,000, but has so far failed to meet any greenhorn who is willing to go it. Says he has applied for a patent for his process - and must keep it secret. Is willing to sell the right for this country for $10,000. Dubbers [Henry Dubbers, a supervisor at San Buenaventura for the California Petroleum Company] has a notion of buying - but wants to see more of the scenes behind the curtain - 'Presto Change' part of the business. Hope he will go in heavy. The oil, however, burns very well, not so good as eastern but equal to Hayward C. & Company's. I am told that H. C. & Co. are blue and say they can't make the thing pay."
Stott's patent (misspelled as Scott). From the Annual Report of the Comissioner of Patents For the Year 1867, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1868.
The early refineries eventually failed because the refined oil was not acceptable or because of the costs, sometimes both. The chemical characteristics of the thick, black, heavy California oil was much different than the Pennsylvania oil and proved nearly impossible to commercially refine. Also, transportation costs of the crude oil were high.
Gelcich and the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company
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Dr. Vincent Gelcich |
Dr. Vincent Gelcich was a surgeon in the Civil War and later a coroner and general practitioner in Los Angeles. He had been trying to get rich in oil for nearly 10 years and was part owner of a multiple claims including one in Rice Canyon. He was an early promoter of the petroleum in the San Fernando Mountains.
From the Los Angeles Semi-Weekly News of July 6, 1866:
"Dr. Gelcich is about to commence operations in good earnest; he takes a great interest in the oil region. In fact, every one concerned is sanguine of ultimate success, and the question now arises as to the means of refining the oil. There is a large accumulation of the crude material; barrels are scarce and tanks overflowing. The necessity of a refinery in the immediate locality [near the San Fernando wells] is daily more apparent. Wiley's ranch on the road, 2 miles from the toll gate, appears to be the most desirable position; it is central, with an abundance of wood and water. The cost of transportation of the raw oil is a matter of serious consideration, and the erection of a refinery would most undoubtedly stimulate the production to a great extent."
In the future, Wiley's ranch, which he was leasing from Jose Ygnacia Del Valle (13), would be Lyon's Station. Sanford Lyon purchased the land and existing ranch, with a mortgage, in late 1868 from the Philadelphia and California Petroleum Company, the current owners at that time.(14) His twin brother Cyrus was not involved. Due to financial difficulties, Lyon sold out to Adam Malezewski in late 1869.(15) However, the station was called "Lyon's Station" for many years after Lyon was gone.
The Los Angeles Semi-Weekly News of September 21, 1866, agreed. They said "Mr. Rushmore, the Superintendent [of the Wiley and Towsley claims], is at present in San Francisco, with the view of erecting an oil refinery at San Fernando. There is now sufficient oil obtained from this district [San Fernando] to warrant the erection of such an establishment [oil refinery]; a thoroughly competent refiner is in request."
In an 1866 letter from Christopher Leaming, the recorder of the San Fernando Petroleum Mining District, to E. F. Beale (half owner of the Pico Claim with R.S. Baker) Leaming wrote:(16)
"The largest work going on is upon the Wiley Springs. The company are running five tunnels and one well, they are getting about six barrels per day of oil that is fair quality, with an increase daily. They have on hand 250 barrels of oil, and are now making arrangements for a refinery to be put up at Mr. Wiley s House on the Tejon Road."
However, the Wiley Springs Oil Company would never build a refinery anywhere.
In early 1872, Dr. Vincent Gelcich tried to promote the oil of the Pico region in San Francisco. He was well received in the press, but was ignored by the people who could raise the necessary money to form a company that Gelcich hoped to be involved with.(17)
Gelcich and the other oilmen knew that a refinery in Los Angeles would greatly aid their cause (of becoming wealthy) and, in May, 1873, he started a campaign for a refining company with a letter to the Los Angeles Star . The Star's editor supported Gelcich's effort claiming profits of 70% were possible.(18) Finally, prominent parties became interested and the initial steps for the formation of the new company began.(19)
On July 14th, 1873, there was a meeting of the stockholders and other parties interested in the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company. Prudent Beaudry was elected temporary President. A committee was appointed to prepare the articles of incorporation and by-laws of the company.(20) The Articles of Incorportation of the company were completed on July 24. The seven directors of the corporation were Francisco P.F. Temple, Prudent Beaudry, Marcus W. Childs, Samuel B. Caswell, Vincent Gelcich, Bryant L. Peel, and Henry C. Austin. The amount of capital stock issued was $300,000. The number of shares was 3000 at a par value of $100 each. The total amount of stock actually subscribed at the time was 420 shares ($42,000). Among the stockholders, which included all the directors, were E.F. Beale, Robert S. Baker, Pio Pico, Phineas Banning, and Christopher Leaming.(21)
On July 29th, there was another meeting and the articles of incorporation were filed. A committee was appointed to find a location for the refinery and to find a crude oil source for the refinery.(22) Officers were elected, including banker F.P.F. Temple as President.
At the August 18 meeting of the company, the location for the refinery was selected to be at Lyon's Station, which was near the oil wells. Also, the route of the future railroad was expected to be along the stagecoach road running by the station. They were wrong about the railroad. It would be built in the next canyon to the west, where it still is today. As to the source of the crude oil, Robert S. Baker would be donating the oil from his (and E.F. Beale's) claim in Pico Canyon to the company for six months.(23)
The Los Angeles Herald of October 7, 1873, published a report from the board of directors of the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company:
"Gentlemen: We, the Committee of Inspection and Location, beg leave to report, that we believe the best interest of the company requires that the Refinery should be located on the railroad line beyond San Fernando pass, on the land of Mr. A. Malezewsky, where wood and water can be obtained at less expense than at any other place we have been able to discover. Believing it would meet the approbation of the Company, we proceeded to select a location, and negotiated for the same with water privileges, at very satisfactory figures. We surveyed the lot, but having no map of the township we could not take a deed, as we desired, but during the present week the deed to the land will be made and signed."
On October 16, 1873, at a stockholders meeting, an assessment of $2.50 per share was levied to raise enough money to build the refinery. Stock in the company would be sold for two weeks.(24) An agent would be sent to San Francisco to supervise the construction of the necessary equipment for the refinery. Captain William P. Smith was hired to be the Superintendent. He was an engineer who was "trained in the oil fields of Pennsylvania" for many years. He was sent to San Francisco to purchase a 10-horse power steam engine, a still, an agitator, and other equipment for the refinery. "He will personally superintend the building of the machinery, and return with it in two or three weeks."(25)
The San Francisco Examiner of October 17, 1873, reported that: "A critical examination of the oil springs of this county, located at San Fernando, has just been completed by an old Pennsylvania operator, with satisfactory results. The President of the Oil Refining Company called a meeting last night, when an assessment was levied on the stock of the company to raise a sufficient sum to commence the erection of refining works."
Refinery Site
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Sanford Lyon |
On October 24, 1873, the company received a deed from landowner Adam Malezewski for two acres near Lyon's Station.(26) Two acres is a little less than the size of two football fields. The deed stated that:
"The particular locality of said two acres is about one hundred and fifty yards north of my house and store and on the west side of the County road. The same to be surveyed in a shape to suit the convenience of the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company to whom I hereby bind myself to give the deed. I also bind myself to give to said Company the constant use of one inch of water to be conveyed from my spring to their works at the expense of the Company. It is also agreed that the said Company are not to cut or use any of the timber on my place at any time without my consent unless timber or trees should stand in the way of the Refining works."
The deed also had a condition that if the company removes the works or quits the refining business, the ownership of the land converts back to Malezewski:
"The said deed is to hold good and valid so long as the said Company continue to refine petroleum and use the works and ground for that purpose. But if the said Company should choose to remove their works or abandon the refining business then the said deed is to be null and void and the rights of the two acres of land is to revert back to me."
Here is a map showing the approximate location of the two acres purchased for the refinery. It also shows Lyon's Station and the spring above the station. The two acres containing the refinery were "about one hundred and fifty yards north of my house and store [Lyon's Station] and on the west side of the County road." The refinery itself was probably on the southern part of the two acres because it was closer to the spring, which would provide the necessary water. Since pipes were laid from the spring to the refinery, they probably wanted to get as near to the spring as they reasonably could. Map from the USGS Oat Mountain Quad, 1962 (rev. 1969).
The refinery would probably have been somewhere in the middle of this photo ("at the base of the hill" - LA Herald, 1/13/1874; "situated on a side hill" - San Francisco Chronicle 5/28/1877), although it could have been more to the right of the buildings. Lyon's Station was on the left near the entrance to Eternal Valley Cemetery. There is a ridge between them (which has been cut back over the years) which probably blocked the view of the refinery from the station. This view is looking west across Sierra Highway (2/23/2021).
Southeast corner of Rancho San Francisco showing the "Lyon's Tract" of 380 acres. It also shows Lyon's Station and the spring southwest of the station. The refinery was just north of Lyon's Station and used water from the spring. Section of map "Rancho San Francisco - as partitioned by the 1st district court, L. F. Cooper, Engineer, 1870" from the Museum of Ventura County, Collection of maps, Map M3795.
Construction of the Refinery
Quotes from newspapers, with links to some of the longer articles, will be used extensively from now on, even though much of the bad news was not reported and can only be inferred.
Los Angeles Herald, December 5, 1873: "We regret to learn that Mr. Smith the Superintendent of the Oil Refining Company, has by an accident, broken two of his fingers."
An ominous start for Smith.
Los Angeles Herald, December 7, 1873: "The next steamer will bring the machinery for a small oil refinery, which will be located at Lyon's Station. Captain W.P. Smith is the Superintendent. He thinks the San Fernando range of mountains will supply any quantity of the raw material."
The Los Angeles Herald of December 13, 1873, reported that the "last steamer brought down from San Francisco the necessary machinery for refining the oil, and in a few weeks Los Angeles will be supplied with burning oil from her own soil." The Herald also said that the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company had capital of $100,000 with about $40,000 subscribed and $2,000 paid in. The refinery would cost about $2500 to build. One of the refinery buildings, for which the lumber has been purchased, would be a rather large 18 feet wide by 40 feet long. There is also a description of the refinery process and a glowing review of William P. Smith.
Construction probably started in late December of 1873, but possibly in early January 1874. The Los Angeles Herald of December 20, 1873, reported that "the refinery machinery goes out to Lyons Station on Monday" the 22nd. The Herald of December 28th reported that "the oil refinery is progressing, and will soon be in operation." However, confusing the start date, the Los Angeles Evening Express of January 3, 1874, said that "the machinery for the oil refinery at Petroliopolis was dispatched this morning from the depot. It consisted of large tanks, stills, pipe, ets. Some heavy castings are being made at the Los Angeles Foundry for the refinery, and in a short time the company hope to have the works in successful operation."
This article is from the Los Angeles Evening Express of January 9, 1874:
"We ran across Captain Smith, the Superintendent of the coal oil factory, now in the process of erection at Petroliopolis, or Lyon's Station , and he gave us a few interesting notes in reference to the progress of the work and other cognate matters....Work on the refinery is being prosecuted with vigor. The machinery has all been hauled to the site of the factory, and the brick foundation for the heavy iron work is being laid. One of the principal buildings is already erected, and in four weeks from the present time the Refinery will be in operation, and the successful manufacture of coal oil, etc., will be a fixed fact. Caption Smith has constructed his furnaces so that all the fuel used will be the residuum of the refined petroleum. This is an important item, and from experiments which he will inaugurate we hope to be able to announce at no distant day that the great problem of adapting petroleum as a universal fuel will be successfully solved. Mr. Smith says he is perfecting a burner which can be applied to a cooking stove as well as to the powerful furnaces of a steamship. If he will only solve satisfactorily this important problem, the status of Los Angeles in the future as a great manufacturing centre is inevitable fixed. The line of the railroad runs through the Valley of Petroliopolis, and a station is to be established at Lyon's."
Petroliopolis was the name of the post office at Lyon's Station. The railroad would not run through the "Valley of Petroliopolis" and there would be no railroad station at Lyon's Station.
Los Angeles Herald, January 13, 1874: "At this point [Lyon's Station] we find the new Oil Refinery now in course of erection by the Petroleum Refining Company of this city. These works are of an experimental character, and are intended to demonstrate the capabilities of this region for the production of illuminating oil. The still has a capacity of fifteen barrels, and is located in a very convenient spot about a hundred rods from the Station at the base of the hill, and will be ready for operation in about a month."
I think they meant 100 yards and not 100 rods from the Station. 100 rods would be 1650 feet, more than 500 feet north of the northern boundary of the refinery property of two acres.
Los Angeles Evening Express, January 21, 1874: "A quantity of material for the oil refinery building at Petroliopolis was dispatched yesterday. The heavy weather has retarded the finishing of the works, but we are now assured that in two or three weeks Caption Smith will be ready to give an account of how the machery runs."
Los Angeles Herald, January 22, 1874: "The oil refinery is progressing finely. Dr. Gelcich reports to us that the machinery is rapidly being put in place, and that in a short time it will be ready for operation. The doctor is enthusiastic in his faith in the oil region, and thinks that the day is not far distant when the San Fernando regions will be as famous as the great oil country of Pennsylvania."
One thing consistent about Dr. Vincent Gelcich was his enthusiasm about the oil prospects.
Los Angeles Daily Star, January 27, 1874: "Several teams loaded with provisions, etc., were dispatched to Petroliopolis yesterday for the forces engaged in construction the petroleum refinery. We learn that the works will soon be in running order and the prospects are very encouraging."
Los Angeles Herald, January 28, 1874: "Capt. Smith of the Petroliopolis Oil Refinery is in town. He reports everything progressing favorably, and the prospects good. The Refinery will be ready in about three weeks. He sends out a lot of material today."
Los Angeles Evening Express, February 5, 1874: "The refinery at Petroliopolis is nearly finished, and we expect to hear soon that it has gone into active operation."
Los Angeles Evening Express, February 13, 1874: "A gentleman who has returned from Lyons' Station, where he has been spending a few days examining out oil resources, says that Captain Smith, the Superintendent of the Refinery, is rapidly getting things in position for active work to commence. The machinery is all up, and he is now arranging for large tanks to hold the oil that is brought to the Refinery in flumes."
And now, a new element will be added to the story. The Los Angeles Evening Express of February 19 reports that:
"There will be some astonishing developments in the petroleum industry in a few weeks. The new refinery at Lyon's station is nearly ready for operation, and a party has entered upon preliminary steps with the oil men which, it is believed, will lead to an entire revolution in the production of coal oil as a burning fluid, not only here but in Pennsylvania. It embraces the grand idea of reducing the crude petroleum to illuminating fluid by the mere action of chemicals, without refining or other process, and the yield of 95 per cent. on the quantity of crude petroleum. If the thing is feasible, and its success is demonstrated here, a new petroleum era will date from Los Angeles."
This so-called revolution would be the secret chemical refining process of Rudolfo (also spelled Rodolfo) Carreras.
Los Angeles Herald, February 20, 1874: "The Petroleum Refinery at Lyons Station is rapidly approaching completion, and in a few days will be ready to demonstrate that in the San Fernando Oil Springs we have the grandest deposits of oleaginous wealth to be found in the world."
Los Angeles Herald, March 5, 1874: "Mr. Smith, Superintendent of the San Fernando oil refinery, reports that it will be in operation in about two weeks. The construction and thorough outfitting of a refinery is necessarily slow work, but Mr. Smith says that when the establishment is once in order the manufacture of oil will be vigorously carried on."
Another delay. Smith seems to be having some problems that aren't being reported.
Carreras begins to make the news more frequently. He makes the unbelievable claim of producing 95% refined oil from crude with chemicals and not distillation, which all other refineries used. He did not get a contract yet.
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 2, 1874: "We hear most astonishing reports about a contract entered into by the owners of the oil wells in San Fernando with a Spanish-American gentleman named Carreras. That gentleman has agreed to refine all the crude petroleum the oil men can give him, producing 95 percent of refined oil from the crude. He claims that he can do this without distillation, and by the mere action and affinitization of chemicals. The cost of the process is very cheap." "His success would be apt to render refineries hereafter useless."
Finally, the refinery is finished, or is it? The Carreras process is conveniently known only to himself. If it works, the Lyon's Station refinery would be obsolete.
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 13, 1874: "We mentioned a few days since, that a Mr. Carreras had produced a sensation in our oil circles by his marvelous propositions in connection with his plan of refining our crude oils by a process only known to himself. He claims that he can produce from 90 to 95 percent of illuminating oil by his process from the raw material, and has made such liberal offers to the oil men that they are extremely anxious to get him to enter into a contract with them. If Mr. Carreras can do what he is so confident of being able to do, there will be no work left for the refinery, which is now finished, and was to start distilling this week. We are assured that several barrels of oil will be refined and sent here from the refinery before the close of the week."
The "oil men" wanting a contract with Carreras are the officers Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company, owners of the Lyon's Station refinery.
Los Angeles Herald, April 14, 1874: "Dr. Gelcich informs us that the coal oil company will today send into the city one thousand gallons of oil from their refinery. The oil will be for sale at the store of Mr. Childs, on Los Angeles street."
Gelcich was a little premature with this announcement.
Now the news starts to focus more and more on the Carreras process. Rodolfo Carreras registered on the Great Register of Los Angeles County on October 7, 1874. He was 30 years old and was born in Cuba, but a U.S. citizen because his father was a naturalized citizen.
The Los Angeles Evening Express of April 18 reported on the success of a small experiment using the Carreras process and, of course, performed by Carreras. Crude oil was poured into the top of a "black box" and clear, refined oil flowed out the bottom.
"We have now to announce that Mr. Carreras has given proof of the efficency of his process by an experiment which has been altogether successful. Last night the Trustees of the San Fernando Oil Refining Company assembled in the rooms of Dr. Gelcich, where Mr. Carreras had an apparatus which he had constructed here. The machine consisted of a large tin reservoir super-arranged with filters. A number of preliminary experiments had been made during the day and the previous evening, for the purpose of adjusting the appliances and gauging the exact proportion of chemicals with the character of the crude petroleum. In the evening, when the Trustees assembled, he took two gallons of petroleum, of average quality procured at our San Fernando wells, and poured it slowly into the receptacle at the top of the apparatus. Soon after the crude material reached the interior filters, where the chemicals were placed, a strong heat was generated, and vapor made its way through the interstices of the several compartments of the apparatus. As Little Paul said of the camera when his picture was being taken, at this juncture the ingredients were cooking. In less than one minute from the time when Mr. Carreras had poured the last of the crude petroleum into the funnel, clear oil began to run from the faucet at the bottom of the apparatus. And in two minutes from the time the refined and purified oil commenced to run from the faucet the entire clarified production of the two gallons of crude oil was drawn from the machine! We stated in our first article that he promised to save 95 percent, but this experiment surpasses that, for there was less than four percent of residuum left at the expiration of the splendid experiment! ..."
This experiment convinced the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company.
Again from the Los Angeles Herald of April 14, 1874: "The trustees of the Petroleum Refinery are entitled to great credit for their liberality and persistence in placing our oil interests that Mr. Carreras could be induced to give our section the benefit of his great and astonishing process. They are now so well satisfied with the experiments made, that they have determined to at once put up such works here as Mr. Carreras requires to place his process in practical operation so as to turn out the maximum of refined oil. This is good news, and the works will greatly redound to the benefit of our locality."
Carreras did not wait long to get started. Using money from the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company he went to San Francisco.
The April 21 issue of the Los Angeles Evening Express: "We learn that Mr. Carreras will proceed to San Francisco to procure necessary materials for the construction here of the works necessary to carry out his refining process on a large scale. His marvelous success in reducing our crude oils has enlisted the interest and capital of the men connected with out oil wells."
Los Angeles Herald, April 22, 1874: "They [Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Co.] have erected a refinery at San Fernando [i.e. the Lyon's Station refinery], which will be in operation by the close of this week. They have also entered into a contract with Mr. Carreras of this city, who is a practical refiner of oils, by which Mr. Carreras binds himself to immediately erect a refinery here, at which he will refine the oil by a chemical process that secures an illuminating fluid standing a much higher test than the best extra brands of kerosene now brought from the East. Mr. Carreras has selected the site of his refinery, and will commence operations at once."
This time it is reported that the Lyon's Station refinery will be in operation by the close of the week. That the refinery is ready to operate has been an ongoing theme of the newspapers. And it seems that the company has contracted with Carreras.
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 23, 1874: "The successful oil experiment, so elaborately noted in the Express [of April 18], have caused wide comment and general astonishment. The men interested in the oil wells [the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company] have perfected a contract with Mr. Carreras, and he will proceed to extend the capacity of his process so as to produce refined illuminating oil in large quantities."
After about four months, the Lyon's Station refinery finally seems to be ready to go.
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 27, 1874: "Captain Smith, of the new oil refinery near Lyons' station, came into town Saturday, and tomorrow he purposes to fire up. He informs us that everything is now in perfect order for work, and this week will show what the refinery can do. The still is of fifteen barrels capacity. He will run it on about twelve barrels. The product in refined oil will be about 30 percent, so that at the close of the week, he will probably send in twenty barrels of refined illuminating oil.
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 28, 1874: "The gentlemen [the LA Petroleum Refining Co.] who have perfected a contract with Mr. Carreras, to refine crude petroleum by his process, have leased a portion of the large wine house on Alameda street, formerly belonging to the Los Angeles Wine Growers' Association. He will there establish his works on a scale which will enable him to show what his astonishing process can do in a commercial sense. If he can produce relatively as large a proportion of oil by his process on an extensive scale as he did at his experiment the other night, Los Angeles will soon be in position to supply this Coast with all the oil it uses."
The Refinery at Work
By the end of April 1874, the Lyon's Station refinery was finally operating after five months of construction. I wonder how much time was used for actual construction and how much time was used by Smith to experiment on refining crude oil until he got an acceptable, at least to him, product.
The Los Angeles Herald of December 13, 1873, provided a description of the refining process:
Here are quotes from two future newspapers that will give us some idea as to the setup. Note that a second still would be installed in January of 1876. A treating-house was apparently also built later.
--"The present company have erected a refinery, a frame building 30x50 feet, and about one hundred feet off a distillery, made of boiler iron, with a capacity of fifteen barrels a day. A wooden aqueduct, in which is enclosed an iron pipe passing through and surrounded by water, known as the cooler, conveys the oil after distillation to the agitator in the refinery, a tank of boiler iron, which is worked by horse power, and in which after agitation and chemical treatment the pure illuminating fluid rises to the top and is drawn off into five gallon cases ready for market. The only fuel used in distillation is the residuum left after the first process." - Los Angeles Daily Star, June 3, 1874.
--"The works being situated on a side hill, the oil is run from the crude tanks to the stills, two in number, and thence to the treating-house, all by gravity, which is a great saving in not being obliged to pump from one place to another. The crude is of a dark green color, about 40 degrees gravity, and I examined the products in the refinery, and found a fine article of burning oil of a light color, and perfectly free from bad odor. The capacity here of the two stills is about 30 barrels per day, and they are run day and night, there being two series of hands." - Los Angeles Evening Express, June 1, 1877.
--"wooden flumes were installed for running the crude from storage tanks." San Francisco Post, February 18, 1874.(27)
Now legal problems appear against the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company. They had received a deed for the property from Adam Malezewski back in October of 1873. Malezewski was the owner, but he had leased all the land with station to O.P. Robbins on August 6, 1872, for three years.(26b) On July 21, 1873, Robbins transferred the lease to A.J. Kraszynski and Peter Jorgenson.(26c) To sell the two acres to the refining company, Malezewski needed those two men to surrender their lease to the two acres.
Kraszynski claimed that he and Jorgenson had not surrendered the two acres. On May 14, 1874, Kraszynski filed a lawsuit for damages against the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company (Case No. 596 in Los Angeles County Court). Malezewski claimed that they had surrendered the lease arguing that the refinery would be of benefit to Jorgenson and Kraszynski for their store and hotel business that they were then running at Lyon's Station. Kraszynski lost the case.
However, on June 6 Kraszynski filed a similar lawsuit for damages (Case 2479 in the 17th District Court of LA County). That court decided that there was no evidence to show that Jorgenson and Kraszynski had surrendered their lease to the two acres to Malezewski. Also, at some point, Jorgensen had assigned his interest to Kraszynski. The court awarded Kraszynski $25 from the L.A. Petroleum Refining Company for rent (5 months at $5 per month). There was no statement about future rents due. See more information about the two cases here.
Continuing chronologically with contemporary newspaper accounts:
Los Angeles Evening Express, May 20, 1874: "Captain Smith, of the Petroliopolis Refinery, has been kind enough to give us a few notes touching the progress of our oil industry. Between four and five hundred gallons of a very fine quality of illuminating oil have resulted from the first run of the refinery. The product is 33 1/2 percent of the crude petroleum. The next run of the Refinery will be on lubrication oil."
The refined oil will always be reported as being of excellant quality, even though that would not turn out to be the case.
Sacramento Daily Union, May 22, 1874: "The Los Angeles Oil Wells - The new refinery is in successful operation at Petroliopolis. Seven barrels of refined illuminating oil have been brought to this city [LA] for trial, and the fluid is pronounced superior to the imported article. At the same time the company, organized for the purpose of enabling Carreras to practically inaugurate his extraordinary process of refining crude petroleum by the action of chemicals, are preparing to establish a factory in this city [LA]. They will either lease a large building they now have in view, or they will put up a new building in the vicinity of the river. Carreras, in the meantime, is perfecting his vessels and preparing for active work."
Petroliopolis is the name of the post office at Lyon's Station. The "the company" was organized to refine and bore for oil, not for enabling Carreras to do anything. He wasn't around when it was organized.
Los Angeles Evening Express, June 2, 1874:
"Mr. Temple and the Directors of the oil refinery at Lyon's Station, have sent this office, through their Secretary, Col. Peel, a can of illuminating oil, reduced from the crude petroleum of the San Fernando wells at their refinery, which is now in successful operation. We have not yet had time to try our sample, but we know from other trials that it is a very superior article, and will rate in the market well above the ordinary article imported from the East. It is clearer, purer and has better illuminating properties than that oil. The refinery will make a run of twelve barrels of crude oil per day. The yield is not up to the standard of the yield in Pennsylvania, for some reason, by the present refining process, it being only from 30 to 35 percent. From twenty to twenty-five barrels of illuminating oil a week will be turned out for the present; but it is believed this yield can be increased upon as we become more familiar with the character of the petroleum and with the process of distilling."
"It is proper to say in this connection that our refined oil yield will not depend alone on the production of these works. The Company is also preparing to start out Mr. Carreras extensively in the appliances necessary for him to establish a factory on his system of reduction. As Mr. C. saves from 90 to 65 percent by his process, it will be seen that the volume of refined oil they will have at command will supply a much wider market than could be satisfied by their present refinery. We hope soon to be able to announce that Mr. Carreras has perfected his plans, obtained all his filters and large vessels, and commenced to produce illuminating oil as rapidly as the crude material can be furnished him. This factory will be located here."
This article is somewhat negative about the newly refined oil in that the yield was lower then that of Pennslyvania. However, it was claimed, as usual, that the oil was superior. And there are still big expectations for Carreras.
Los Angeles Evening Express, June 3, 1874: "At the annual election of officers of the Petroleum Company, which took place yesterday, the following were elected: President, F.P.F. Temple; Secretary, B.L. Peel; Treasurer, Thomas Temple; Trustees - M.W. Childs, V. Gelcich, V. Wolfenstein, Dr. Orme, B.L. Peel, F.P.F. Temple, R. Carreras."
Carreras was now a trustee of the company.
The Star did not report much about the refinery. Here, it gives a little summary of the company and of the refinery operation.
Los Angeles Daily Star, June 3, 1874:
"The Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company was organized in December, 1873, with a capital of $300,000, and duly incorporated under the laws of the State. F.P.F. Temple was chosen President, and Col. B.L. Peel Secretary and Superintendent. The works are located a few miles northwest of San Fernando, and give every evidence of being the site of an immense reservoir of oil. Experts state that nowhere in Pennsylvania were the indications so favorable as they are at the company's works. The deposits have been known to exist for a number of years, and spasmodic efforts have been made to develop them but to no purpose."
"The present company, however, have gone to work systematically and erected a refinery, a frame building 30x50 feet, and about one hundred feet off a distillery, made of boiler iron, with a capacity of fifteen barrels a day. A wooden aqueduct, in which is enclosed an iron pipe passing through and surrounded by water, known as the cooler, conveys the oil after distillation to the agitator in the refinery, a tank of boiler iron, which is worked by horse power, and in which after agitation and chemical treatment the pure illuminating fluid rises to the top and is drawn off into five gallon cases ready for market. The only fuel used in distillation is the residuum left after the first process. The first run amounted to sixty-five gallon cans, one of which has been left at this office, with the compliments of the company. A gentleman who has already tried it pronounces it superior to any Eastern oil he has ever used."
Los Angeles Herald, June 3, 1874: "We were yesterday made the recipient of a five-gallon key of kerosine oil, with the compliments of the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company. It is claimed that this oil is now the finest that is in the market, possessing uncommon body and strength, as well as being freest from all impurities. The company is now prepared to supply not only our own market but will ship large quantities of their production abroad. Mr. M.W. Childs is the sole agent for the city. With the can of oil we received we hardly know what disposition will be made, but expect to invite in our friends some evening and have a grand 'blow out.' Due notice will be given."
Los Angeles Herald, June 6, 1874: "There is an engine at the depot consigned to B.L. Peel, San Fernando, for the use of the oil refinery."
Petaluma (Ca.) Weekly Argus, June 12: "Coal oil from the Los Angeles refinery is on the market in that region and is pronounced by persons who have used it to be equal, if not superior to any other. The factory is at Lyon's Station. Another factory, on an improved plan, is to be erected at Los Angeles."
The "improved plan" would use the Carreras process.
Los Angeles Herald, June 14, 1874: "This oil is superior to the petroleum heretofore in market, being of a non-explosive character, which will stand the fire test of 180, and can be seen and tested at the store of M.W. Childs."
The Carreras Process
In June of 1874, it becomes apparent that the Lyon's Station Refinery was probably closed down. There are no reports of it in the newspapers. In August, it is finally reported that the refinery is not operating. Superintendant Smith couldn't figure out how to refine the California oil. He was probably let go. The Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company was now totally behind the Carreras process. Not only would the new process refine crude oil, but it would soon be revealed able to refine olive oil.
Carreras is now going to give another demonstation of his process this time on a larger scale.
Los Angeles Evening Express, June 24, 1874: "Mr. R. Carreras, will give a public exhibition of the modus operandi of his wonderful process of refining illuminating oil from crude petroleum, in the Arcadia Block, corner of Los Angeles and Arcadia street, at half-past three o'clock this afternoon. This process will attract and arrest the attention of all who feel an interest in the development of an industry of vast importance to Los Angeles."
Description of the test by Carreras using his secret process. The test was a success and greatly impressed the gathered crowd.
Los Angeles Evening Express, June 25, 1874: "There was but one expression in reference to the splendid experiment, and that was that it was a wonderfull success, and the process a marvel in science."
Another description of the test.
Los Angeles Herald, June 25, 1874: "Without doubt, this new refining process is one of the greatest inventions of the day."
Here we learn how Carreras obtained the process.
Los Angeles Herald, June 25, 1874: The process was the "discovery of a Spanish chemist of Cuba, who was the intimate friend of Mr. Carreras. While on a visit to Europe, the chemist died, leaving his friend the only possessor of the valuable secret."
Not everyone was impressed by Carreras. In a letter from Thomas R. Bard to J. P. Green in 1874 (28), Bards says:
"Carreras has a very romantic story to tell of how he came into possession of his secret and says that the discoverer is dead and that he alone knows his secret, which is very Spanish and fishy. He claims to do entirely too much, like the miller who promised to give 105 lbs of meal for each 100 lbs of wheat...The Carreras Procsss is probably a swindle or on a large scale the chemicals will be so expensive that the discovery will be practically useless."
Los Angeles Evening Express, June 26, 1874: "M.W. Childs and R. Carreras visited the Petroleum Refining Works at Lyons Station yesterday in order to determine whether the building belonging to the Company at that place would answer to refine Petroleum by the Carreras process."
Evidently, the Lyon's Station refinery was not operating anymore. If it was running, why would they check it out?
The Carreras process can not only refine crude oil but can refine olive oil.
Los Angeles Herald, June 27, 1874: "The same process by which Mr. Carreras, of the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company, reduces the heaviest crude oil to a first-class illuminating fluid at a cost of two cents per gallon and within twenty minutes time, will also refine olive oil and make it equal to the best article manufactured in Europe."
Los Angeles Herald, June 28, 1874: "Col. Peel, Secretary of the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company, informs us that the company's books are now open at Temple & Workman's Bank, and stock is for sale." "The company have resolved to establish a refinery in this city of sufficient capacity to meet all demands, and the proceeds of stock sold will be invested in suitable buildings for that purpose."
Los Angeles Herald, July 1, 1874: "A large amount of the Los Angeles Refining Company's stock has been sold within the last three days. Colonel Peel is kept quite busy filling out and delivering the shares."
Santa Barbara Weekly Press, July 4, 1874: "It seems that Mr. Carreras, by the aid of certain chemicals, unknown to all but himself, refines in twenty minutes, not only the ordinary crude petroleum, but, also, that character of petroleum which, being too refractory to be treated with profit by the common processes, has heretofore been thrown away as worthless."
Los Angeles Herald, July 8, 1874: "The Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company are the owners of the only wells now throwing out oil, and this company will become the purchasers of all the crude oil taken from the district. They alone possess the secret of refining the oil by the Carreras process, and their refinery is now so far completed that the works will be in operation in a few days. The stock of the Refining Company is in great demand, and we understand they have sufficient funds in hand to place the refinery in active operation and meet the expense of the wells now being sunk."
Here they are talking about the Carreras refinery. It seems like they have given up on the Lyon's Station refinery.
Los Angeles Herald, July 10, 1874: "Mr. Spangler, who has charge of the well-boring interest in the district [at the Temple claim in Towsley Canyon], writes to the refining company in this city, that he will soon have more oil than the company will know what to do with. We are pleased to hear this. Nothing in Southern California could bring so much money and business as the success of this company. Their refining stock, which is now being sold by the company for ten dollars a share, will sell for one hundred dollars the day a hundred-barrel well is struck."
Mining & Scientific Press, July 18, 1874: "The Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company are proceeding with energy to organize their oil works in connection with the Carreras process, and in a short time we may look to see Los Angeles illuminating oils among the regular commercial articles of this market. In this connection we have nothing but good news from the oil region."
Los Angeles Herald, August 1, 1874: "There was a party of gentlemen here a few days since who selected a location in our town for the erection of a refinery, not only for petroleum oils but also for olive oil."
Los Angeles Herald, August 2, 1874: "Mr. Carreras has secured a lot in San Fernando upon which he will commence to build a refinery at once. Besides refining the petroleum he expects to do an extensive business in manufacturing olive oil, and, to this end, he has already engaged almost the entire olive crop of the Mission and vicinity - some 10,000 gallons."
Los Angeles Evening Express, August 3, 1874: "Mr. Carreras advertises for 100,000 gallons of olives, for which he will pay the best market price. Mr. Carreras is possessed of a cheap process for extracting the oil from the olive in its purest state, and in connection with his illuminating oil refinery, he will establish a branch for the manufacture of sweet olive oil."
Los Angeles Evening Express, August 5, 1874: "A man named D.S. Herron writes from St. Peterburg, Pa., in the heart ot the Pennsylvania oil region, that he has seen an account of the refining process of our fellow townsman, Mr. R. Carreras, and says that Mr. C. is 'wanted' at St. Petersburg. We have no doubt. But he is also wanted here, and the oil inducement of our own wells is sufficient to satisfy any moderate ambition. From the way in which oil is developing here, there will be no lack of raw material to give Mr. Carreras all any man should want to do."
Los Angeles Herald, August 12, 1874: "We soon arrive at Lyon Station, which is quite a resort for tourists and is a beautiful place, surrounded by groves of oak and sycamore trees, and which is destined to become a place of no little importance. There is a store and telegraph office here, besides the hotel and the oil refinery, which at present is not refining any oil, the new process having done away with the old method."
It is finally reported that the Lyon's Station refinery was not operating. It was apparently shut down at least by June.
San Jose (Ca) Daily Mercury, August 13, 1874 [communication from San Fernando]: "Last week we had a visit from Mr. Carreras, who has a new process for refining oils; it is done, I think, by acids. He selected a piece of property in this town for the purpose of putting up a refinery, which he will do immediately. He designs not only to refine petroleum oil but he has purchased all the olives in this part of the State, and will extract the oil therefrom and refine it also, and with the refuse he will manufacture castile soap."
Santa Barbara Weekly Express, August 22, 1874: From the Los Angeles Express: "This injunction is suggested by the fact that Mr. R. Carreras has established at San Fernando, a refinery for extracting and clarifying the unctuous juice of the olive. Mr. Carreras is possessed of a cheap process for extracting the oil from the olive in its purest state, and in connection with his illuminating oil refinery, he will establish a branch for the manufacture of sweet olive oil."
Los Angeles Evening Express, August 26, 1874: "Col. Bicknell has been elected Secretary of the L.A. Oil Refining Company, vice Col. B.L. Beel, resigned." "Mr. Maclay [of San Fernando] says he has offered Mr. Carreras the entire olive oil crop of both orchards at the [San Fernando] Mission to start his olive oil refinery."
It was reported that they previously visited the Lyon's Station refinery on June 26. Here they are visiting it again.
Los Angeles Herald, August 26, 1874: "M.W. Childs and R. Carreras visited the Petroleum Refining Works at Lyons Station yesterday in order to determine whether the building belonging to the Company at that place would answer to refine Petroleum by the Carreras process.
Los Angeles Herald, August 28, 1874: "Carreras and Childs have just returned from Lyon's Station, and they have determined to use the present refining buildings to refine oil on the Carreras process, as it can be changed at a very small cost to the Company."
Los Angeles Evening Express, September 8, 1874: "Refining oil by the new method is still believed to be impossible by many wise men, but Mr. Carreras will soon be at work here, and they can then see for themselves the simple operation with its wonderful results."
The wise men would turn out to be wise.
Los Angeles Evening Express, September 9, 1874: "In response to Mr. Carreras' advertisement for 100,000 gallons of olives, he has only received a certain assurance of 18,000 gallons, and believes he will get in all about 20,000 gallons from all the orchards. Out of this amount he will extract and refine about 7,000 gallons of pure olive oil."
Los Angeles Evening Express, September 22, 1874: "Carreras will have his oil refinery at work at San Fernando in a few days. The company have on hand about three hundred barrels of petroleum. This will supply our market for a short time."
Now the delays start, just like what happened with the Lyon's Station refinery.
Los Angeles Herald, September 22, 1874: "The Refining Company's works will be in operation at San Fernando in a few days, refining by the chemical process. The company have on hand about three hundred barrels of petroleum. This will supply our market for a short time."
Los Angeles Evening Express, September 25, 1874: "Mr. Carreras has five men at work on his oil refinery at San Fernando, and in a few days he will be ready to treat the crude petroleum by his astonishing process."
Los Angeles Herald, October 4, 1874: "Mr. Carreras will commence refining oil next week in his new works at San Fernando."
Sacramento Daily Union, October 5, 1874: "The oil refinery at San Fernando, Los Angeles county, will commence operations in a few days."
Los Angeles Herald, October 8, 1874: "The oil refinery is nearly finished and will soon be in full operation."
Stockton (Ca.) Daily Evening Herald, October 8, 1874: "Carreras' oil refinery at San Fernando will commence operations next week."
Los Angeles Evening Express, October 13, 1874: "The Carreras oil refinery at San Fernando is nearly ready to clarify, and this factory will at once give the crude oil of the developing claims a merchantable value."
Los Angeles Evening Express, October 19, 1874: "A gentleman writes us from San Fernando that the Coal Oil Refinery is about completed. Mr. Maclay donated the Company a full block of land, worth $600, for their establishment. The olive oil and castile soap factory will also start soon on a block of land donated by the Senator. The building will be commenced this week."
Castile soap is made from olive oil.
Sacramento Daily Union, October 20, 1874: "The coal oil refinery at San Fernando is completed and ready for work."
They mean the olive oil refinery.
Los Angeles Herald, October 21, 1874: "A [olive] refinery has been erected at San Fernando, which will be in operation this week. We understand they have three hundred barrels of oil now on hand."
Los Angeles Evening Express, November 07, 1874: "Mr. Carreras some time ago advertised very extensively in the Southern California papers that he wanted 100,000 gallons of olives, for which he would pay a liberal price. In connection with his petroleum refining works at San Fernando, he proposed to establish presses and a refinery for the manufacture of oil out of olives."
San Francisco Examiner, December 11, 1874: "The olive oil refinery at San Fernando has commenced operations. Several thousand gallons of oil will be manufactured this season."
Los Angeles Herald, December 16, 1874: "The refinery at San Fernando is now in operation and manufacturing about fifty gallons of [olive] oil per day. The oil is said to be of the best quality. A man is now wanted to manufacture castile soap from the olive refuse."
It appears that the Carreras olive oil refinery in San Fernando is now up and running. Of course the olive oil is the "best quality."
Los Angeles Herald, December 29, 1874: "Mr. Boenicki, a practical refiner from Cincinnati, who has taken up his headquarters at Lyons' Station, where he will soon be refining the San Fernando petroleum into illuminating and lubricating oil. Mr. Boenicki proposes to use the established method of refining now in vogue in the East."
So, the Lyon's Station refinery was not converted to the Carreras process as we were led to believe might happen in the August 28 article. There is now no doubt that superintendant W.P. Smith was let go when the refinery was closed. It now appears that the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company wants to start up the Lyon's Station refinery. This is the only newspaper article that mentions Mr. Boenicki.
1875 - Rebirth of the Lyon's Station Refinery
As we start 1875, the Carreras process excitement has died. There are virtually no more newspaper articles that mention it. In fact, there is no news of the olive oil refinery in San Fernando that was supposedly completed.
Los Angeles Evening Express, January 9, 1875: "We are in position to refine all the oil that can be produced; but thus far, the supply has not been sufficient to justify the organization of extensive and expensive establishments. The one we had did not get enough crude oil to keep it in operation, and the Carreras process, which can be started at any time, would utilize all the oil which a dozen good flowing wells could furnish."
The Lyon's Station refinery had enough crude oil, it just couldn't refine it properly. The Carreras process was a fraud. We hear no more about it from now on.
Los Angeles Evening Express, February 12, 1875: "The Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company have got their factory at work again, and they are now turning out a superior quality of coal oil. We saw a sample of it yesterday, and it is as clear as crystal. There is no smell emitted from this oil as it has now been rectified, and we can see no reason why the entire consumption of our market should not hereafter be supplied by this refinery. M.W. Childs & Co. are the agents."
The Lyon's Station refinery is up and running. The refiner was earlier reported to be Boenicki.
Los Angeles Herald, February 12, 1875: "M.W. Childs is receiving regularly from the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining company, shipments of the best illuminating and lubricating oils we have ever seen in this market. It is as clear as the limpid mountain stream, and the flame is as brilliant as the sun. It does not smoke, and it lasts one-third longer than Devoe's best, showing that the San Fernando oil has a heavier body than the Eastern oil. Mr. Childs thinks this company will be able to supply this market in future, as they design to increase the capacity of their refining in proportion with the supply of the oil wells."
As usual, a glowing review of the oil.
Los Angeles Herald, March 5, 1875: "Notice is hereby given, that at a meeting of the Directors [of the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company] held on Monday, March 1st, 1875, an assessment of five dollars per share was levied upon the unpaid capital stock of the corporation, the said assessment being levied to meet liabilities and satisfy claims of creditors." "Any stock upon which this assessment shall remain unpaid on the said 5th day of April, 1875, will be delinquent and advertised for sale at public auction."
The company seems desperate for money with that large of an assessment. They probably lost a lot of money supporting Carreras.
In March, 1875, D.C. Scott arrived in Los Angeles from San Francisco. He had previously worked in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. Within a few weeks his partner J.G. Baker also arrived from Pennsylvania. They decided to get into the refining business and obtained a lease to the refinery at Lyon's Station from the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company. Scott also got permission from Colonel Baker to drill for oil at Pico Springs in return for 1/8th of the oil. Colonel Baker was one of the claim holders along with E. F. Beale, Sanford Lyon, and others, but acted for them all.(29)
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 14, 1875: "Mr. Scott and another Pennsylvanian, both from the Venango oil regions of that State, have leased the oil refinery at San Fernando [Lyon's Station], and are going in earnest into the business of developing our oil product in that vicinity."
Los Angeles Herald, April 15, 1875: "It is reported [the Express article from the day before] that Mr. Scott and another gentleman, both from the Venango oil regions of Pennsylvania, have leased the oil refinery at San Fernando. The refinery is already in good working order, we believe, but has not been running for sometime."
The February 12 newspaper was touting the refined oil and now it is reported that the refinery has not been running for sometime.
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 20, 1875: "Mr. Scott and his friends, from the Venango, Pennsylvania, oil regions, who go out to the San Fernando today to take charge of the oil refinery there, estimate that they can collect from the different pools and springs twenty-five barrels of crude petroleum a day."
Los Angeles Evening Express, May 3, 1875: "Mr. Scott came in from the oil refinery near the San Fernando today. He says the refinery will shortly be in running order, and that the supply of crude petroleum is quite sufficient to run the distillery."
Star Oil Works
Denton Cyrus Scott and John G. Baker called their firm Scott & Baker, each man having 1/2 interest.(30) The function of that business was evidently just to oversee the oil business. They named their oil business the Star Oil Works. Neither firm was actually incorporated, but were partnerships. For a refiner, they hired William Schumacher.(31) He had more than 16 years experience in Ohio.(32) After securing a loan from F.P.F. Temple and financial backing from Nathaniel J. Clarke (for a 1/3 interest in refining and 1/5 interest in producing wells), they hired experienced driller Charles A. Mentry to manage the drilling in Pico Canyon. Scott had known Mentry in Pennsylvania.(29) After getting verbal permission from R.S. Baker to drill on Pico Springs in April, Mentry completed three wells using the spring pole method by the end of 1875.(34)
Continuing with more newspaper articles:
Los Angeles Evening Express, May 15, 1875: "Mr. Scott, who arrived in Los Angeles from the San Fernando [Lyon's Station] Oil Refinery today, gave us some very gratifying results of the work there since he took charge of it. He tells us that three hundred and seventeen gallons yielded in lubricating oil, of fine quality, two hundred and sixty seven gallons. In addition, he got out of it thirty-seven gallons of a fine illuminating oil, and some tar, which latter he will use as fuel. He has collected four hundred barrels of such oil as we have described, which he will rapidly work up into a marketable condition. To those who like work we will just say that Mr. Scott is ready to pay $2 per barrel for crude oil as fast as it is collected."
Los Angeles Evening Express, May 31, 1875: "They are turning out a very fine article of illuminating oil at the San Fernando [Lyon's Station] Oil Refinery. The success of the managers of the establishment, both as to quality and quantity of the oil, has exceeded their expectation."
Los Angeles Evening Express, May 31, 1875: "Some time ago he [William P. Smith, first superintendant of the Lyon's Station refinery] came to Los Angeles representing himself as an oil expert. He succeeded in worming himself into the confidence of a number of our leading citizens, who entrusted him with the management of the San Fernando oil refinery. As might be expected of a man who has turned out as he has done [jailed for attempted robbery], Smith accomplished nothing there, and was soon shelved. He development into a chevalier d'industrie of the lower grade will be a painful surprise to gentlemen who exhibited such confidence in him at one time."
A trashing of former refinery superintendent Smith after he was arrested.
Ventura Signal, June 24, 1875: "The first shipment of oil from the Star Oil Works, which are located in the San Fernando Mountains, near the tunnel of the Southern Pacific Railroad, about twenty miles this side of Los Angeles, arrived in the city [Ventura] yesterday. It consisted of fifty barrels, and is pronounced by competent judges equal, if not superior to, the petroleum of Pennsylvania. Other quantities are on the way; and it is expected that the receipts will equal 250 barrels per week."
Los Angeles Evening Express, July 19, 1875: "Captain [Maurice] Kraszynski, of Lyons Station is in town. He brings good news from the oil wells, and says that a quality of oil is being refined that is superior to any produced in Pennsylvania. This is the opinion of some of the experienced operators, who come from the oil districts of that State. The oil is now being refined is principally from the Pico well, which is yielding very copiously."
Los Angeles Evening Express, September 18, 1875: "By special invitation, we yesterday visited the office which the proprietors of the Star Oil Works Refinery have established at No. 37 Spring street, in this city, for the sale of their oils, which are of a quality superior in color and purity to those made in the Eastern States. The use of the oils of these works is less dangerous, as they are not inflammable in their liquid state, when brought into contact with a flame, if their temperature is above 160 deg., as was proven by experiment in our presence. The best Devoe oil ignites from a flame at a temperature of 110 deg. Notwithstanding the superiority of the oils from the Star oil works, the price is only 30 cents a gallon, while oils from the East cost 50 and 60 cts. per gallon."
The Los Angeles Cronica of September 18, 1875, published the same Express article in Spanish on the same day. The Spanish speaking consumers were not ignored:
October was not a good month for Scott & Baker. Nathaniel Clarke, their financial backer, ended his support. They owed him over $1500. Clarke would eventually sue to retrieve that money.(35) Also, refiner William Schumacher quit. He did not like the way Scott & Baker ran the business and he was having trouble refining the oil.(31)
Los Angeles Evening Express, November 2, 1875: "The Messrs. Scott and Baker have met with great success in the San Fernando oil region. The yield of oil is so abundant that three of their wells have had to be plugged up. A still capable of distilling fifty barrels of oil a day is on the way to San Fernando from the East, and when that arrives it will be used to its full capacity."
Actually, the second still would have a 20 barrel capacity.
Los Angeles Herald, November 3, 1875: "Messr. Baker & Scott, who have flowing oil wells near San Fernando, are experienced oil men. They went through the oil excitement in Pennsylvania, gaining experience as they progressed and this they are turning to good account in their business at San Fernando [Lyon's Station]. The oil they are now making is of excellent quality and we are glad to hear that they are supplying, through their Spring street store, the local trade pretty generally. There is no reason why our dealers should patronize San Francisco when they can get a home article of superior quality for the same money."
Los Angeles Evening Express, November 23, 1875: "Messrs. Scott & Baker, of the Star oil works, shipped 18 barrels of San Fernando petroleum to Santa Barbara yesterday."
San Francisco Examiner, December 11, 1875: "San Fernando refined petroleum finds ready sale at thirty cents per gallon. The Star Oil Company have made a success in refining the crude product."
As usual, the newspapers continue giving glowing reviews of the refined oil. Who is the refiner?
Los Angeles Evening Express, December 27, 1875: "The Star Oil Refinery will shortly be in a condition to refine fifty barrels of petroleum a day. The new machinery has arrived and will be put up without delay. A barrel of refined petroleum is worth, in Los Angeles, at the prices at which the Star refinery sells it, $12.00, and at the price asked by other dealers $25.00. This makes a fifty barrel oil well at San Fernando a more lucrative thing than a thousand barrel well in Butler or Venango counties, Pennsylvania. That the San Fernando oil regiion is destined to be an important interest not only of Los Angeles county but of California at large, we entertain no manner of doubt."
The second still would be installed by the new refiner in January. This still would be 20 barrel. The first one was 15 barrel. When installed , the refinery could refine 35 barrels (or 1470 gallons at 42 gallons per barrel) a day.
Enter Joseph A. Scott.
Los Angeles Evening Express, January 19, 1876: "Mr. J.A. Scott, of Titusville, Pa., a noted refiner from the oil regions of Pennsylvania, has arrived in Los Angeles. He says the quality of the San Fernando oil is quite equal to the best Pennsylvania article, and he thinks there can be no reasonable limit to the production in that quarter. He is out at the Star Oil Refinery now, superintending a run, and in a few days the oil will be on exhibition at the St. Charles Hotel."
Quote from the Deposition of J.A. Scott, June 11, 1878, in the 17th District Court, Los Angeles, California, Case No. 4437, Baker vs. CSOW:
"I was first induced to come to California by Mr. R. C. McPherson, now a resident of Los Angeles County, California, who came to Titusville in the fall of 1875 and represented that they had found some green oil in California and had been unable to refine it and that he believed I could refine it; that he would like to have me come out and try, and that a large amount of money could be made if I succeeded... I went down to the San Fernando Oil District, Los Angeles, County, in January 1876, having been detained a few days in San Francisco, and found that a small refinery (so called) had been erected near Lyons Station, which was about a mile from the site of the refinery afterwards constructed at Andrews Station. I was informed that various attempts had here been made for some time previous to refine the oil then being obtained from the Pico claim but that such attempts had been conspicuous failures."
"The oil which they were producing when I got there was certainly not marketable oil, and indeed, after I took charge of the refinery, forty barrels were returned from certain merchants in Los Angeles and re-refined. I immediately took charge of this refinery..."
"I enlarged the refinery at Lyon s station more than double its capacity [by installing the still that had arrived in December]...After I took charge of the refinery at Lyon s Station, I succeeded in making a fine illumination oil and have often been informed and believe that I am the first person who ever produced first class merchantable refined oil from California Petroleum. I have had very large experience in California and Pennsylvania in refining oils and believe I know more about refining oils, and the nature of California oils as compared with Pennsylvania oils, than any other man in the business in the state of California."
A word on Robert C. McPherson. He had oil claims in Pico Canyon just east of, and above (on today's PCO Hill), Robert S. Baker's Pico Springs oil claim. McPherson would soon deed his claims to the San Francisco Petroleum Company, which he would organize with others in December of 1875. He knew that refining at Lyon's Station had failed and that for his company to succeed, a successful refiner was needed. He was already traveling east to purchase drilling equipment for his claims so he also searched for a competant refiner willing to travel west, which was Joseph A. Scott. McPherson also got San Francisco capitalist Reuben Denton interested in the San Fernando oil business, including paying for Scott's trip west. Not only a new oil refiner was found, but also a new financial backer for the Star Oil Works firm.
Scott had his own refining process apparently only known by him.
Los Angeles Evening Express, January 22, 1876: the oil made by Scott "was a clear as crystal, and absolutely deordorized of all offensive smell. It is perfectly non-explosive, besides. Mr. Scott treats the oil according to a process of which he has the sole ownership and consequently no San Francisco or Eastern oil approaches this in purity, in absence of smoke or in immunity from disagreeable odors. Owing to the fact that oils made by Eastern or San Francisco manufacturers are treated with sulphuric acid, the wick in fifteen minutes after being lighted begins to take on a crust and blackens, thus obscuring the brilliance and diminishing the volume of the light. After burning for five hours with the Scott oil the wick is just as white as when it was put in, and it remains uncolored."
Los Angeles Herald, January 23, 1876: "Mr. J. A. Scott, the oil refiner, exhibited yesterday, at the St. Charles Hotel, specimens of the San Fernando refined oil. What we have seen is better than the best Pennsylvania oil."
Los Angeles Herald, January 25, 1876: "The test of San Fernando oil at the St. Charles Hotel on Saturday night, was a great success, the fluid burning equal to gas."
Los Angeles Evening Express, January 26, 1876: "This oil...emits a light of unusual brilliancy, an ordinary lamp yielding as much illumination as a six-foot gas-burner. As Mr. Scott employs no sulphuric acid in treating oils by his process, the wick does not crust a particle, so that the continual labor of trimming is avoided. For the same reason, no smoke is emitted, and this is the case whether the light is turned low or high. It is absolutely non-explosive."
Los Angeles Evening Express, January 28, 1876: "The Messrs. Scott and Baker have just finished the erection of a house at Lyon's station for their hands employed at the Star Oil Refinery."
Los Angeles Evening Express, February 03, 1876: A Temple & Workman Bank inventory (for their bankruptcy) showed that the Los Angeles Petroleum and Refining Company had an overdraft of $3671. That means the company owed the bank that amount. They were obviously in a bad financial condition.
Los Angeles Herald February 20, 1876: "San Fernando oil is selling at the Grange Store at the rate of five gallons for $1.75. Everybody takes it; children cry for it."
What a great line - "children cry for it."
On February 29, 1876 the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company agreed that they would sell to D.C. Scott and J.G. Baker all its interest in the two acre tract of land containing the oil refinery, along with the refinery and all fixtures for $1500.00.(36) However, Scott and Baker did not buy it immediately. They probably didn't have enough money.
On March 21, 1876, Scott and Baker sold the Star Oil Works to Reuben Denton. Denton would assume all of the debts of the company, which would have included money still owed to Nathaniel Clarke. Here is the contract between D.C. Scott and J.G. Baker with Rueben Denton for the sale(30):
"Whereas the undersigned have this day received of D. C. Scott and J. G. Baker, heretofore doing business under the firm name of Scott & Baker, a bill of sale of all their interest and property held or owned by them as copartners aforesaid. Now therefore this is to witness that I have agreed and I do hereby agree in consideration of said conveyance to me to assume, pay off and fully discharge all the debts and liabilities of the said firm of Scott & Baker, and to hold said Scott & Baker harmless from all liabilities on account of their said business heretofore contracted.
Witness my hand this 21st day of March, 1876. Reuben Denton. Witness J. D. Bicknell."
Los Angeles Evening Express, March 22, 1876: "Notice of Dissolution: The co-partnership heretofore existing under the name of the Star Oil Works, Scott & Baker, proprietors, was this day dissolved by mutual consent, they having sold out their interest to R. Denton, who will carry on the business as heretofore, under the name of Star Oil Works, and who will collect all accounts due the old firm and pay all the liabilities of the same."
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 3, 1876: "A Card" advertisement of the Star Oil Works showing R. Denton, the new owner.
Los Angeles Evening Express, April 4, 1876: "...enough oil is collected there [the San Fernando district] to run the Star refinery, and that the product of that refinery already supplies the local market."
Now that Rueben Denton was in charge of Star Oil Works, he wanted to make sure that his crude oil supply was secure. The verbal agreement from Baker to Star Oil Works was not good enough for him, so on April 12, 1876, he was able to obtain a lease from Robert S. Baker (who signed for the other claim holders - E.F. Beale, Sanford Lyon, and Chris Leaming) for the oil rights on the Pico Oil Springs. The lease was for a period of three years.(37)
With the success of the refinery, Denton was also able to interest San Francisco Mayor Andrew J. Bryant in the oil business. On April 18, Denton sold half interest of the Star Oil Works to Bryant for $6000. The Bill of Sale was recorded in LA County Recorder records on April 18 and the deed on April 24.(38)
On April 29, the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company sold all its interest in the refinery, fixtures and land at Lyon's Station for the $1500 that they had agreed to sell to Scott and Baker on February 29.(36)
San Francisco Chronicle, May 3, 1876: "Reporter - Does the oil refine well?
Ramsay [W. H. Ramsey of the Star Oil Company answering reporter's questions] - Very well indeed. We could ask for nothing better. As a test we shipped a few months ago some 50 barrels of our crude oil to a firm in San Francisco to be forwarded by them to Downer, the celebrated oil refiner of Boston. So satisfactory was the result that Downer wrote back that the shipment was the best quality of crude oil he had seen in the United States.
Reporter - What does the refined product of your wells bring, on an average?
Ramsey - In large lots of from 10 to 20 barrels we get 25 cents per gallon. In cases, an average of 35 cents.
Reporter - Then the business must be a paying one?
Ransey - Yes; it is beginning to pay now that the railroad is completed to the tunnel. Before that it cost about as much for transportation as the oil was worth. We were nearly fifty miles from Los Angeles, over a mountainous road, and freight was very high. This is one reason why this oil region has not been developed before. The product would not stand the expense of getting it out."
Star Oil Works Company
Denton now found more partners and a new company was formed. On May 3, 1876, the Star Oil Works Company was incorporated in San Francisco. The directors were A. J. Bryant, Mark L. McDonald, Robert C. Page, Rueben Denton, and Charles Jones. The capital stock of the corporation was one million dollars consisting of 10,000 shares of $100 each.(39)
Two days later, on May 5, Denton and Bryant transferred ownership of all the property, oil claims, and Baker Pico oil lease owned by the Star Oil Works to the newly formed Star Oil Works Company.(40)
Los Angeles Evening Express, May 25, 1876: "...the refined San Fernando oil, now in general use here, is the best fluid illuminator we ever saw."
Los Angeles Herald, May 25, 1876: Incorporation of the Star Oil Works Company. "These works are located at Lyons Station, and are in charge of J.A. Scott as Refiner and Superintendent. In about thirty days it is proposed to increase the capacity of their still to fifty barrels per day and will erect another in Ventura of the same capacity."
Oakland Tribune, May 31, 1876: "Mayor Bryant, Mark L. McDonald and R.C. Page of San Francisco, with Robert [Reuben] Denton" of Los Angeles compose the Star Oil Works Company which, with $1,000,000 capital, is building an oil refinery at Ventura."
California Star Oil Works Company
Realizing that Nathaniel Clarke was about to file a lawsuit against Rueben Denton and the defunct Star Oil Works to get the money Clarke was owed, the California Star Oil Works Company (CSOW) was incorporated on June 21, 1876, to replace the Star Oil Works Company. The new company had the same directors and same capital stock of the old company.(41) The directors of the company did not want to get mixed up in that lawsuit - the Star Oil Works Company name was too close to the original Scott and Baker firm name of Star Oil Works that Denton had purchased (and had also promised to pay all the debts of the firm). The lawsuit complaint was filed by Clarke on July 15 in the District Court of the 17th Judicial District of Los Angeles County, California (Case 3375). In February of 1877 Clarke would be awarded $1515 to be paid by Denton.(35)
Los Angeles Herald, June 27, 1876: "It seems that success has at last crowned the efforts of the Star Oil Company. They have struck a flowing well [Pico No. 4] of oil on the Pico Springs yielding forty barrels per day, at a depth of less than two hundred feet, a thing unknown in the history of oil. The Refinery at Lyons Station is running day and night, and its capacity will soon be increased."
The California Star Oil Company was still called the Star Oil Works or the Star Oil Company in many newspaper articles.
Los Angeles Evening Express, June 30, 1876: "No oil coming to this market will begin to rank with the oil refined by the Star Oil Works. It is purer, clearer, safer and gives a more brilliant flame than the Eastern oils. Its superior quality will insure it a ready market on this coast, and as our capacity for production increases we shall become the sole source of supply for this valuable illuminating material throughout the Pacific Coast and the countries tributary to it...To control the oil market of this coast would alone be an item of vast importance. But the quality of our production is so very superior to that of all others, that our markets would only be limited by our capacity to supply the material."
The usual glowing review of the refined oil.
Los Angeles Evening Express, July 19, 1876: "Mr. Connell, of the firm of Knox & Connell, at 78 Main street, agents for illuminating fluids, showed us today a sample of refined oil from the works of the Star Oil Company at Andrew's Station [they meant Lyon's Station - there was no refinery at Andrew's Station yet]. It is as fine and clear a looking oil as we ever saw. It is far clearer than Pratt's Astral oil, and possesses greater illuminating power. The oils now being refined from our wells by Mr. Scott at the Star Refinery are attracting great attention abroad. Knox & Connell are the agents in this city for these oils."
Los Angeles Evening Express, July 31, 1876: "The Star Oil Works have in complete working order at Lyon's Station a refinery, and are turning out from twenty-five to forty barrels of refined oil per day. From the wells to the refinery, a distance of about six miles, a line of pipes was commenced to carry the oil direct from the wells to the refinery, but as the Company are about to remove the present one, and also construct larger ones at the town of Newhall, on the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the enterprise for the present is abandoned."
As this article says, their original plan was to lay a pipeline from Pico Canyon to the refinery at Lyon's Station. Because of the railroad being built, they decided to build a new refinery closer to the railroad. So they dropped that pipeline plan. But in 1879, a pipeline was laid from Pico Canyon to the new refinery, located near Andrew's Station.
In August of 1876, Charles A. Mentry spudded the famous Pico 4 oil well on the Pico Springs claim for his new boss, the California Star Oil Company. Using a steam engine, the well was completed on September 26, 1876. The supply of crude oil was now more than the Lyon Station Refinery could handle. Mentry had previously drilled the Pico 1 through 3 wells in 1875 using the spring pole method.
Daily Alta California, September 6, 1876: "San Buenaventura, September 5th - The California Star Oil Company started its refinery this morning."
This is the refinery in Ventura. The manager was D. C. Scott, still employed by the company, but now in Ventura.
Los Angeles Evening Express, September 7, 1876: "The oils of this company [The California Star Oil Company] are now burned nightly at the saloon of Oscar Lewis, 132 Sutter street, and their illuminating properties are equal, if not superior, to the oils of Pennsylvania. The latter contain 33 per cent of illuminating properties, while our's contain 60 per cent; and the California crude oils have a gravity of 40 deg. These oils are now on exhibition with the Journal of Commerce at the Mechanics' Institute Fair."
Santa Barbara Daily Press, September 18, 1876: "This refinery [at Lyon's Station] now runs day and night, and turns out about 25 barrels of oil and five barrels of coal tar daily. Every kind of oil is manufactured - burning, lubricating, machine oil, etc. Mr. J.A. Scott came from the Pennsylvania oil region and thoroughly understands his business. He showed us a huge tank of burning oil ready to turn into barrels, which was as white and clear as the purest spring water. He has discovered the art of divesting the oil of all disagreeable odor. Another advantage he claims for this oil is that it will burn a whole year without crusting the wick. The company is about to establish a branch refinery at Ventura."
As we have seen, the Ventura refinery was already running.
In September of 1876, CSOW became a target of San Francisco oil merchants Frederick B. Taylor and his junior partner Demetrius G. Scofield. They had visited the San Fernando oil district earlier in 1876 and were pleased with what they saw. So Taylor bought a 30% interest in the company and both men joined the Board of Directors, becoming the main decision-makers of CSOW. Taylor became the General Manager and Scofield his advisor and field man. Taylor secured 3/7 rights to Pico Springs equaling the percentages of Baker and Beale. He also acquired hundreds of acres of undeveloped claims in Pico Canyon.(42)
Los Angeles Evening Express, October 13, 1876: California Star Oil Works Company ad. Although the refinery was at Lyon's Station, their headquarters was at Andrew's Station.
Los Angeles Evening Express, November 6, 1876: "Notice - The California Star Oil Works Co. have a refining capacity of twenty barrels of refined oil per day, at their refinery, at Lyon's Station. They have also just completed their refinery at San Buenaventura and are now refining thirty barrels of illuminating and lubricating oils per day and of a superior quality."
Ventura Signal, December 2, 1876: "A new refiner has been engaged by the Star Oil Works Company for their refinery at San Fernando, Mr. J.A. Scott being engaged at the refinery here [Ventura] constantly."
Probably Clarence Barrett because of the next article.
Los Angeles Evening Express, December 13, 1876: "Mr Clarence Barrett, of the Star Oil Refining Company of Lyons Station, is registered at the St. Charles [Hotel]"
Clarence Barrett stated:
"I am a practical oil refiner. I was engaged in refining Pico oil at the Lyon's Station refinery for a short time."(43)
Sometime after Barrett, but before the Andrew's Station refinery was finished, John B. Morrison was the refiner under J.S. Scott. In 1878 Morrison stated:
"I then came to Lyon Station in this County of Los Angeles aforesaid, and took charge of the refinery under J.A. Scott, General Superintendant. I continued there until the refinery was moved to its present location at Andrew Station, about one year ago, and have continued in charge of said refinery ever since it was built. I am now the refiner in charge of said refinery and have exclusive control of it and am refining oil daily."(44)
Los Angeles Evening Express, December 29, 1876: "Some five or six years ago a refinery was started at Lyon Station by a local association named the Star Company, but they failed to treat the oil with success, and the works were closed until they passed into the possession of the California Star Oil Works Company, an association of San Francisco capitalists."
Daily Alta California, December 29, 1876: At a meeting of the California Star Oil Works Board of Directors on December 19th, "an assessment (No. 1) of one dollar per share was levied upon the capital stock of the corporation, payable immediately in United States gold coin, to the Secretary, at the office of the company, 312 California street, San Francisco, California."
Titusville (Penn.) Morning Herald, January 9, 1877: "Visitors to the San Fernando oil region should get off at Andrew's Station, where there is an excellent hotel and postoffice. The refinery of the California Star Oil Works Company is situated at Lyon station, about a mile and a quarter farther up the valley than Andrew's depot, and here there is a hotel and a station of the Western Union Telegraph Company."
Engineering & Mining Journal, January 13, 1877: There is a refinery, which produces from the crude petroleum 60 percent of illuminating oil of high quality (120 deg. to 130 deg. fire-test), and 25 percent of fine-grained lubricating oil, of 18 deg. gravity, the remaining 15 percent being fuel."
Sacramento Daily Union, January 13, 1877: "The California Star Oil Works are turning out a brand of Lustre, 155 degrees fire test, from California Petroleum, which sells at 37 1/2 c."
In 1877, Taylor and Scofield came up with a program to increase the production of Pico Canyon by deeper drilling and construction of a larger refinery accessible to rail transportation.(42)
Los Angeles Evening Express, January 16, 1877: "The Star Company use a small steam engine, which economizes labor and agitates the oil while acted upon by chemicals. But the concern is on a small, experimental scale and does not do justice either to the oil interests or its proprietors. Mr. Scofield has gone East to purchase, it is stated, a 250-barrel still for Ventura and a complete outfit for San Fernando."
That complete outfit would be for the new refinery near Andrew's Station.
Mining & Scientific Press, January 20, 1877: (Reported by LA Herald): "About four years ago a refinery was established in the San Fernando oil region by a stock company. It was placed under the charge of a superintendant named Smith. This gentleman could not get a satisfactory percentage of light oil from the heavy crude product. About 18 months ago the refinery passed into the hands of Messrs. G.D. [D.C.] Scott and Baker. These gentlemen were a little more successful than Mr. Smith had been, but they also failed to secure the best results. They were succeeded by a Mr. Shoemaker [William Schumacher], of Akron, Ohio, with a like record of failure. Determined to make a success of it next time, Mr. J.A. Scott, a noted refiner of the Pennsylvania oil regions, was sent for, and his handling of the refinery was attended with entire success. He remained in the San Fernando district until his presence was called for at Ventura, to take charge of the California Star oil refinery." "Mr. Morrison, an experienced oil refinery of Pennsylvania, has been sent for to take charge of the San Fernando refinery, and he will doubtless obtain results as satisfactory, in the manipulation of the crude petroleum of that section, as those achieved by Mr. Scott."
Los Angeles Evening Express, March 1, 1877: "Why consumers should use the kerosene oil manufactured by the California Star Oil Works Company: First, it is to patronize home manufactures; second, it has no equal as an illuminating oil; third, it is entirely safe, and will not explode. It is put in first class packages and will not leak - and gives a light equal to gas. Hereafter there will be no delay in filling orders promptly. All orders should be addressed California Star Oil Works Co., Andrews' Station, Los Angeles county, and they will receive prompt attention."
Los Angeles Evening Express, March 23, 1877: "...the Star Oil Company's refinery is running night and day, making fine oil. The flow of crude oil from the wells is far in excess of the present capacity of the refinery..."
Los Angeles Evening Express, March 26, 1877: "The California Star Oil Works Company of this place [Lyon's Station], are pushing ahead with their accustomed energy, turning out about thirty-five barrels per day of a quality of oil unsurpassed, if indeed equaled, by any of the Eastern refineries."
But now the Lyon's Station refinery's days are numbered.
Daily Alta California, May 3, 1877: "There is a refinery [at Lyon's Station], which produces from the crude petroleum 60 per cent of illuminating oil of high quality (120 deg. to 130 deg. fire-test) and 25 per cent of fine-grained lubricating oil, of 18 deg. gravity, the remaining 15 per cent being fuel... A large refinery is now erecting at Newhall, a station of the Southern Pacific Railroad on the Santa Clara River."
The Lompoc Record, May 12, 1877: "A new refinery will at once be built, and we are informed that a pipe line will be laid from here to the wells at San Fernando, in which the crude oil will be brought here to be refined."
Los Angeles Evening Express, May 14, 1877: This firm [Gibbs & Sterrett of Pennsylvania] have also sent out the complete appointments for a refinery capable of turning out one hundred and twenty barrels of illuminating oil a day. This important improvement is now being built at Andrew's Station."
Los Angeles Evening Express, May 25, 1877: "The Star Oil Works Company are removing to that point [Andrew's Station], and have commenced the erection of a new refinery there. This refinery will be equal to the distilling of about one hundred and fifty barrels of oil per day, which is about the present production of the wells."
Los Angeles Evening Express, June 1, 1877: "I visited the refinery at Lyon's Station [on May 24], and found it running in full blast. The works being situated on a side hill, the oil is run from the crude tanks to the stills, two in number, and thence to the treating-house, all by gravity, which is a great saving in not being obliged to pump from one place to another. The capacity here of the two stills is about 30 barrels per day, and they are run day and night, there being two series of hands."
One of the two stills at Lyon's Station has not been moved yet.
Los Angeles Evening Express, June 25, 1877: "While at Andrew's Station yesterday we took occasion to inspect the new refinery, now in process of erection, of the California Star Oil Works Commpany." "The stills are three in number, with a respective capacity of 120, 20, and 15 barrels per day, and are placed on brick foundations, underneath which the hot fires are kindled. The large still, which is perfectly in position, can be emptied but once in twenty-four hours, but the two smaller ones, one of which is yet at Lyon's Station, on mile distant, can, when necessary, be filled and emptied twice in one day, making the utmost capacity of the refinery 190 barrels per day." "It has been the custom at Lyon's Station to draw the refined oil off into barrels..."
Los Angeles Evening Express, July 21, 1877: "The new refinery of the Star Oil Works Company, at Andrew's Station, will barely suffice for present production. Larger refineries and greater storage facilities must soon be provided."
The Andrew's Station refinery is already too small for the amount of crude oil available.
July of 1877 marked the end of the Lyon's Station refinery and the beginning of the Andrew's Station refinery.
Conclusions
The Lyon's Station refinery could be considered as the first commercially successful refinery in California. Its demise was caused by the lack of capacity. Not enough crude oil could be refined there. The Pioneer Oil Refinery near Andrew's Station was basically a larger version of the Lyon's Station one, but with the added advantage of being right next to the railroad. The two stills of the Lyon's Station refinery were moved there and the same refining process of Joseph A. Scott would be used. In fact, Scott had supervised its construction. But the lack of capacity problem would also lead to the end of the Andrew's Station refinery. The very large Alameda Point (just south of Oakland, California) refinery was built in 1880 partly because of the need for more refining capacity.
After Scott was successful refining oil at the Lyon's Station refinery, the Southern California oil industry began to take off. New capitalists became involved. More money was made available. New companies were formed, such as the Star Oil Works Company (SOW) which became the California Star Oil Works Company (CSOW). The Pacific Coast Oil Company (PCO) would soon be formed and take over CSOW. Standard Oil would also become deeply involved eventually taking over PCO.
All of this because of the modest success of Joseph A. Scott at the little Lyon's Station refinery.
From the San Francisco Chronicle of June 14, 1961, is this photo of the nearly completed Standard Oil Museum in Richmond, Ca. The first oil refinery were stills # 1 and #2 from the Pioneer Oil Refinery. The "pump works" also came from Pico Canyon. After the museum was closed (date unknown), the stills seemed to have disappeared. But Leon Warden (of SCVHistory.com) was notified of their existance by Chevron in April of 2016. See here for that story.
There was some controversy about the removal of the two stills from the Pioneer Oil Refinery in Newhall. Evidently, Standard did not tell anyone in Newhall what their plans were. From the Newhall Signal of October 5, 1961.
By November of 1961, the museum two-still refinery was completed. From the Newhall Signal of November 9, 1961. See here for recent (2016) views of the stills at the now closed museum site.
On October 24, 1913, Joseph A. Scott died. His success refining at the Lyon's Station refinery invigorated the California oil industry. (He did not build the first refinery in Los Angeles or Ventura as the article says.) From the San Bernardino Daily Index of October 28, 1913.
NOTES
(1) Los Angeles Star, December 27, 1856.
(2) Los Angeles Tri-Weekly News, January 31, 1865.
(3) Daily Alta California, May 3, 1865; Fourth Annual Report of the State Mineralogist for the year Ending May 15, 1884, Sacramento, California State Mining Bureau, 1884 (PDF).
(4) "California's Oil" (Brochure), American Petroleum Institute, New York, April, 1948, pp.27-28; Los Angeles Semi-Weekly Southern News, April 6, May 11, May 25, August 29, September 26, 1860; Sacramento Daily Union, January 21, March 31, 1865; Los Angeles Tri-Weekly News, January 31, 1865; Marysville Daily Appeal (Ca.), February 12, 1865; Daily Alta California, May 3, 26, 1865; Daily Alta California, May 26, 1865; Daily Alta California, March 10, 1866.
(4b) Geology Volume II, The Coast Ranges, Appendix F by Samuel F. Peckham (written in 1866), Cambridge, Mass., John Wilson & Son, University Press, 1882, Publications of the Geological Survey of California, J.D. Whitney, State Geologist.
(5) Los Angeles Tri-Weekly News, November 11, 1865; "Resources of the Pacific Slope" by J. Ross Browne, San Francisco, H.H. Bancroft and Company, 1869, pp. 261-262 (PDF); Mining & Scientific Press, December 16, 1865; Daily Alta California, October 22, 1866; Fourth Annual Report of the State Mineralogist for the Year Ending May 15, 1884, Sacramento, California State Mining Bureau, 1884 (PDF).
(6) Daily Alta California, October 22, 1866; Fourth Annual Report of the State Mineralogist for the year Ending May 15, 1884, Sacramento, California State Mining Bureau, 1884 (PDF); "Resources of the Pacific Slope" by J. Ross Browne, San Francisco, H.H. Bancroft and Company, 1869, pp. 261-262 (PDF).
(7) Daily Alta California, April 12, 1865; Los Angeles Semi-Weekly News, December 5, 1865; Los Angeles Semi-Weekly News, January 12, July 17, September 21, 1866.
(8) Fourth Annual Report of the State Mineralogist for the Year Ending May 15, 1884, Sacramento, California State Mining Bureau, 1884 (PDF); "Resources of the Pacific Slope" by J. Ross Browne, San Francisco, H.H. Bancroft and Company, 1869, pp. 261-262 (PDF).
(9) Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel, November 14, 1863; Conta Costa Gazette (Martinez, Ca.), December 12, 1863; Stockton Daily Evening Herald (Stockton, Ca.), December 28, 1865; Sacramento Bee, May 30, 1866.
(10) Daily Alta California, May 5, 1866; San Francisco Examiner, June 28, 1866; Los Angeles Semi-Weekly News, July 6, 1866; Los Angeles Daily Star, February 12, 1872; Fourth Annual Report of the State Mineralogist for the Year Ending May 15, 1884, Sacramento, California State Mining Bureau, 1884 (PDF).
(11) The Daily Bee (Sacramento, Ca.), September 25, 1865; Wilmington Journal, March 24, 1866; Daily Alta California, October 22, 1866; Fourth Annual Report of the State Mineralogist for the Year Ending May 15, 1884, Sacramento, California State Mining Bureau, 1884 (PDF); "Resources of the Pacific Slope" by J. Ross Browne, San Francisco, H.H. Bancroft and Company, 1869, pp. 261-262 (PFD).
(12) Letter from Thomas R. Bard to Samuel F. Peckham, November 6, 1866 - reprinted in Baptism in Oil - Stephen F. Peckham in Southern California 1865-66, Gerald T. White, The Book Club of California, San Francisco, 1984, letter pp.93-95, note p.136.
(13) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Leases, Book 2, Pages 171-172.
(14) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Deeds, Book 11, Pages 534-535 and Mortgages, Book 5, Pages 406-408.
(15) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Deeds, Book 14, Pages 161-163.
(16) Letter from Christopher Leaming to Edward F. Beale, July 3, 1866, Robert S. Baker Collection, Huntington Museum, San Marino, Ca.
(17) Los Angeles Daily Star, February 5, February 12, April 2, 1872.
(18) Los Angeles Daily Star, May 22, June 4, 1873.
(19) Los Angeles Daily Star, June 5, June 21, 1873; Sacramento Daily Union, June 24, 1873.
(20) Los Angeles Daily Star, July 16, 1873.
(21) Articles of Incorportation of the Los Angeles Petroleum Refining Company, July 24, 1873, L.A. County Incorporation Records, Seaver Center for Western History Research, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
(22) Los Angeles Daily Star, July 29, 1873; Sacramento Daily Union, August 11, 1873.
(23) Los Angeles Daily Star, August 22, 1873; Los Angeles Daily Star, September 18, 1873; Los Angeles Herald, October 7, 1873.
(24) Los Angeles Herald, October 17, October 18, 1873.
(25) Los Angeles Herald, October 22, October 25, December 13, 1873.
(26) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office - Deeds, Book 41, Pages 560-562.
(26b) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office - Leases, Book 3, Pages 109-113.
(26c) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office - Leases, Book 3, Pages 179-180.
(27) Formative Years in the Far West: A History of Standard Oil Company of California and Predecessors through 1919, By Gerald T. White, New York, Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1962, p. 33, from the San Francisco Post, February 18, 1874.
(28) Oil, Land and Politics - The California Career of Thomas Robert Bard by W. H. Hutchinson, Volume One, University of Oklahoma Press, 1965, pp 240-241.
(29) Deposition of D.C. Scott, 17th District Court, Los Angeles, California, Case No. 4437, R.S. Baker, et al vs. CSOW, July 11, 1878.
(30) Deposition of J.G. Baker, 17th District Court, Los Angeles, California, Case No. 3375, Nathaniel J. Clarke vs. Rueben Denton, September 23, 1876.
(31) Gerald T. White papers. MS-F009. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. These contain research files relating to Professor White's work on the history of oil in California, including his book on Standard Oil of California. White found that Schumacher wrote three letters to Thomas Bard in attempts to get Bard to hire him as a refiner. Schumacher was unhappy working for Scott and Baker. Bard evidently ignored him. Schumacher quit in October of 1875.
(32) The Summit County Beacon (Akron, Ohio), November 27, 1872.
(34) Deposition of C.A. Mentry, 17th District Court, Los Angeles, California, Case No. 4437, R.S. Baker, et al vs. CSOW, July 11, 1878.
(35) Amended Complaint of Clarke, 17th District Court, Los Angeles, California, Case No. 3375, Nathaniel J. Clarke vs. Rueben Denton, September 23, 1876.
(36) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Miscellaneous, Book 3, Page 302.
(37) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Leases, Book 3, Pages 379-382.
(38) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Miscellaneous, Book 3, Page 192, April 18, 1876; Deeds, Book 44, Pages 409-412, April 24, 1876.
(39) Articles of Incorportation of the Star Oil Works Company, May 3, 1876, L.A. County Incorporation Records, Seaver Center for Western History Research, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
(40) Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Miscellaneous, Book 3, Page 222; Deeds, Book 44, Pages 412-414; Leases Book 3, Pages 397-399.
(41) Articles of Incorportation of the California Star Oil Works Company, June 21, 1876, L.A. County Incorporation Records, Seaver Center for Western History Research, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
(42) Formative Years in the Far West: A History of Standard Oil Company of California and Predecessors through 1919, By Gerald T. White, New York, Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1962, p. 40; Deposition of D.G. Scofield, 17th District Court, Los Angeles, California, Case No. 4437, R.S. Baker, et al vs. CSOW, July 11, 1878.
(43) Deposition of Clarence Barrett, 17th District Court, Los Angeles, California, Case No. 4437, R.S. Baker, et al vs. CSOW, July 15, 1878.
(44) Deposition of John B. Morrison, 17th District Court, Los Angeles, California, Case No. 4437, R.S. Baker, et al vs. CSOW, July 11, 1878.