Now that gasoline can become worrisome at times, the subject in its various forms becomes worth discussing. It has a history with some impact on Humboldt County, which has dozens of exploratory wells drilled in its surface but, so far, none of them have been the kind which make men comfortable or wealthy.

Of course, historically, it was here that California’s first commercial oil well was drilled and its product shipped. At Petrolia the story is told in a large bronze landmark plaque, reminding us the year was 1865.

The Humboldt Times’ old columns now and then contain memories of those men who were associated with various ventures in Humboldt County, and they would join the editor in a bit of reminiscing. The issue of August 16, 1900, had some excitement, for there was renewed interest in Mattole Valley’s oil fields. For James W. Henderson, president of the Humboldt County Bank, it was cause for quotable memories.

Henderson told the Times reporter he had come to Humboldt County in July 1864 and had secured several bottles of oil from springs in the Mattole area. He spent three weeks there and, on leaving, carried five bottles of oil with him. It was chiefly from McNutt Gulch and Joel’s Flat, “the latter point being four miles up the river from Petrolia.”

The story continues:

At that time two wells were being bored on Bear River near the county road crossing — one on the Webster place, the other on Col. Odell’s property. During continuance of the excitement, work was inaugurated on at least a dozen claims in Mattole Valley. None went to any great depth except that of Erwin Davis, which was 1800 feet deep. The entire distance was through solid shale and without any intimation of water. But gas in abundance was encountered.

Mr. Henderson was operating for Thomas A. Scott of Philadelphia, an active railroad man of the time, and Levi Parsons of San Francisco. Scott was the chief promoter, being a man of great wealth. Mr. Henderson invested $75,000 in the interests of the capitalist, principally for land, for but a small amount of development work was done on the land purchased. The Joel’s Flat well, the principal one inaugurated by them, was sunk to a depth of 250 feet. Oil was struck and it was believed that the deposit was extensive. Mr. Henderson came to Eureka and had a tank with a capacity of 30,000 or 40,000 gallons built. When it was in position pumping commenced, but no oil could be obtained, the reason for which was afterwards supposed to have been satisfactorily ascertained.

Scott had met with reverses and had decided to sell the land. It had been purchased for $1.25 per acre with school or other script. He sold most of the large tract at $2.00 per acre for agriculture and grazing purposes, but the oil rights were reserved. It is possible that the reservation (in 1900) holds good and will apply to at least some of the oil lands which have been bonded in Mattole Valley during the last year.

For a time the Union Mattole well was a promising and popular venture, but interest in attempted complete development grew less tantalizing with time and it shared the fate of the other not so fortunate undertakings. Some oil was taken from it.

The Times reported:

The McNutt Gulch showing was a good one 37 years ago, and Mr. Henderson has always had faith that if ever development came to the oil lands of the Mattole Valley, McNutt Gulch would be conspicuous by its showing.

Benj. Walles, Benj. Smith, A.A. Hadley and David Henderson were owners of the Union Mattole well. About 50 barrels of oil were shipped from this well, which was not much more than 30 feet deep. The Joel’s Flat and Erwin Davis well were the only ones operated by steam. Mr. Henderson is of the opinion that not less than $200,000 was expended in the first effort to develop the oil fields of Humboldt County.

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