Petrolia, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Petrolia
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Panorama view of Petrolia
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 Petrolia
Location in California
Petrolia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Humboldt |
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) |
| Area code(s) | 707 |
| Official name: California's First Drilled Oil Wells | |
| Reference #: | 543 |
Petrolia is a small community in Humboldt County, California. It's about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Cape Mendocino and sits about 121 feet (37 meters) above sea level. Petrolia is famous for being the place where the very first oil well was drilled in California!
Contents
What is Petrolia Like?
Petrolia is a quiet place with about 300-500 people living nearby. It's located in the Mattole Valley, which is part of the Lost Coast region. This area is one of the biggest wilderness spots and has the longest undeveloped coastline in the United States.
Petrolia is quite isolated because it's surrounded by a rocky coastline and the King Range mountains. These mountains separate the area from the rest of California, keeping it wild and mostly undeveloped. People have called this area "too lovely to be believed" and the top "still wild" place in California. It's one of the only parts of California without a highway along the shore, which helps protect it from too much tourism.
The roads leading into Petrolia are about 35 miles (56 km) long and wind through steep areas. You'll see tall Douglas-fir trees, some coastal redwoods, rocky shores, and black sand beaches. The area is also home to many animals.
Animals and Plants
You can find lots of wildlife in Petrolia and the surrounding areas. Some of the animals include black bears, black-tailed deer, river otters, California quail, bobcats, and porcupines. You might also see reptiles like rattlesnakes, western fence lizards, and alligator lizards. Various amphibians and bald eagles also live here.
The Mattole River is especially rich in wildlife. It's home to river otters, steelhead trout, and more than 250 different bird species. There's also a special type of salmon that lives here, and the community has worked hard to protect it for over 20 years. Petrolia is also one of the few places left with untouched, old-growth Douglas-fir forests.
Geography and Weather
Petrolia is located near the Mendocino Triple Junction, which is a special spot where three major fault lines meet. Because of this, the area often experiences earthquakes. In 1992, a strong earthquake (magnitude 7.1) caused a fire that destroyed the Petrolia General Store. The store was rebuilt, but it lost some of its old charm. Two old buildings that are still standing are St. Patrick's Catholic Church, built in 1912, and the Petrolia Pioneer Cemetery, which has graves from 1857.
Another strong earthquake (magnitude 6.9) happened about 50 miles (80 km) west of Petrolia in 2014. Even though it was felt widely, it didn't cause much damage or a tsunami because it happened deep underwater. Other large earthquakes also hit the area in 2010, but thankfully, no one was killed.
The weather in Petrolia is mild and pleasant. It's in a "banana belt," which means it's protected from the fog that often covers other towns like Eureka. Summers are usually sunny and dry, with temperatures around 70°F (21°C), sometimes reaching 90°F (32°C). Winters are rainy from November to April, with temperatures around 50°F (10°C) during the day and sometimes dropping to the high 30s or low 40s (°F) at night.
There are only two roads that lead into Petrolia. One comes from the north from Ferndale, California, and the other from the south from Honeydew, California. Both roads are winding, steep, and sometimes unpaved. They pass through beautiful redwood forests, some of which were used to film movies like Jurassic Park and After Earth. These roads are popular with mountain bikers and motorcyclists because of the amazing views.
The Lost Coast beaches near Petrolia are popular for their tide pools, clean sands, and quiet hiking trails. At certain times of the year, you can see migrating gray whales from the shore. You might also spot colonies of harbor seals and sea lions. Local people enjoy swimming, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and fly fishing in the Mattole River.
| Climate data for Petrolia, California (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 55 (13) |
56 (13) |
58 (14) |
60 (16) |
62 (17) |
65 (18) |
67 (19) |
68 (20) |
69 (21) |
67 (19) |
59 (15) |
54 (12) |
62 (16) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 41 (5) |
42 (6) |
42 (6) |
44 (7) |
47 (8) |
47 (8) |
50 (10) |
53 (12) |
51 (11) |
47 (8) |
44 (7) |
41 (5) |
46 (8) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 13.53 (344) |
11.77 (299) |
10.75 (273) |
5.19 (132) |
2.42 (61) |
0.90 (23) |
0.09 (2.3) |
0.10 (2.5) |
0.81 (21) |
3.21 (82) |
8.35 (212) |
15.53 (394) |
72.65 (1,845.8) |
| Source: Prism | |||||||||||||
History of Petrolia
The Mattole people, who were Native Americans, first lived in this area. They arrived on the Pacific Coast a long time ago from what is now Canada. Over time, Western settlers, including oil prospectors and ranchers, moved into the area. Today, the last remaining descendants of the Mattole people live on the Rohnerville Rancheria in Bear River. There are no longer any native speakers of the Mattole language. More than 80 important historical sites have been found in the Lost Coast area.
Petrolia was the location of California's very first oil well. However, the oil was in small underground pockets, and eventually, it became too difficult to get out. The site is now a registered California Historical Landmark (#543).
The Mattole post office opened in 1863 and changed its name to Petrolia in 1865. In 1903, a fire destroyed many buildings around the town square. On March 9, 2020, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 happened west of the town. Many people felt it, but it didn't cause much damage.
Economy and Businesses
Petrolia has a few local businesses. These include a bed and breakfast, a vineyard and winery that grows organic grapes, and an organic blueberry farm where you can pick your own berries.
There's also a small general store in Petrolia where you can buy groceries. It even has one gas pump!
Community Facilities
Petrolia has a post office and a volunteer fire department that helps keep the community safe. The Mattole School still has its original bell, which was made in 1871.
There are two community centers in Petrolia. The Mattole Valley Community Center, which used to be the schoolhouse from 1907, hosts community shows and gatherings. The Mattole Grange, about five miles south of Petrolia, is another gathering spot. It hosts a monthly pancake breakfast and a farmers' market. The community also has gardens and various clubs for people to join.
People of Petrolia
Many writers and artists have chosen to live in Petrolia. These include Alexander Cockburn, a journalist, and Dale Maharidge, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. Other notable residents include environmental author Freeman House, political public relations specialist Peter Hannaford, potter and sculptor Jim Danisch, violinist Jenny Scheinman, actor Lisa Jo Jones, and political scientist Matteo Giglioli.
Petrolia also has many people who care deeply about the environment. Two environmental groups, the Mattole Salmon Group and the Mattole Restoration Council, are based here. They work to protect the local wildlife and natural environment.
Community Life and Culture
The Mattole Valley Historical Society holds meetings in Petrolia and offers walking tours, slideshows, and talks about the area's history and its founders.
The community enjoys many events throughout the year. These include sporting events for all ages, talent shows, pancake breakfasts, and community get-togethers. Every July, there's a music festival called "Roll on the Mattole" at the Mattole Grange. Twice a year, on July 4th and Labor Day weekend, there are big barbecues at the Mattole Grange. They cook local beef and baked beans in a huge pot that needs a canoe paddle to stir!
Other events include horse races in September and cycling tours from May to September. These tours include a bike and hiking tour of the Redwoods and the "Tour of the Unknown Coast," a 100-mile (160 km) bike race. There's also a race called "Rye and Tide" that combines bicycling and running from downtown Petrolia to the ocean.
Because Petrolia is so isolated, the people who live there are known for being independent and self-sufficient. They even have their own local emergency help line to support the regular 9-1-1 service.
See also
In Spanish: Petrolia (California) para niños
