Oleum, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oleum
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 Oleum
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Contra Costa County |
| Elevation | 203 ft (62 m) |
| GNIS ID | 1659298 |
| FIPS code | 06-53658 |
Oleum was a small, special community in Contra Costa County, California, United States. It was located between the towns of Rodeo and Tormey. Oleum was known as an "unincorporated community," which means it didn't have its own local government like a city or a regular town.
What Was Oleum?
Oleum was a unique place because it was a "company town." This means a large company built and owned most of the homes and services there. It was created specifically for the people who worked for the Union Oil company.
A Town Built for Oil Workers
The name "Oleum" comes from the word "petroleum," which is another name for oil. This makes sense because the town was built to house the workers of the Union Oil company. The company needed a place for its employees to live close to their jobs. Even though the community itself is no longer active, the oil refinery that the workers supported still exists today.
Its History and Location
The land where Oleum was built has a long history. It was part of a large area called Rancho El Pinole. This land was originally granted to a person named Ygnacio Martinez by the Mexican government many years ago. Oleum also had its own post office. It operated for many years, from 1910 until 1951, helping the community stay connected.
