Motorcycle Ride to Taft and Carrizo Plains National Park

Posted on by trawlercat

Discovering Taft, California: A Journey Through Its Vibrant History

Last night I spent the night in Taft, California, a Kern County gem with a population of less than 4,000. The road getting here is a rider’s dream from the time you reach Frazier Park and start heading towards Carrizo Plains National Park.

Let’s explore the highlights of Taft’s past and the landmarks that keep it alive. Long before Taft’s founding, the Tilamniu Indians used local petroleum for waterproofing, a practice noted by the Smithsonian as far back as 1934.

Fast-forward to 1909, when the town—became Taft, reportedly after a portrait of President William Howard Taft inspired officials. Incorporated on November 6, 1910, Taft was poised for greatness in the San Joaquin Valley.

Taft’s heart lies in the Midway-Sunset Oilfield, the largest in the lower 48 states. The 1901 oil strike sparked a rush, but the 1910 Lakeview Gusher—spewing 100,000 barrels daily and nine million total—put Taft on the map.

Today, the Lakeview Gusher Marker on Petroleum Club Road honors this historic event. The West Kern Oil Museum (1168 Wood St) brings it to life with vintage rigs, a Pioneer Village, and exhibits on the Tilamniu and oil’s economic impact, making it a must-visit for history lovers.

Taft’s story isn’t all triumph. Historical accounts suggest it was a sundown town, with signs in the 1930s warning non-whites to leave by dusk. The Taft Historical Society, often tied to the oil museum, preserves these stories alongside others, fostering reflection on the town’s evolution.

During World War II, Gardner Army Airfield trained pilots, adding a military chapter to Taft’s tale. Though little remains, its legacy endures in local records.

Today, Taft thrives with oil, education via Taft College, and community events on Center and Main Streets, supported by the Chamber of Commerce.

Jo’s Restaurant

And if you want the best margaritas or molcajeta this side of Tecate, Mexico visit the Original Hacienda Grill in Taft. Breakfast at Jo’s cafe where the locals are friendly and the food and service is excellent.

Trawlercat

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Published by trawlercat

One day, your older self will wonder what adventures your younger self chased. This blog, a work in progress, currently follows motorcycle trips with friends—open roads, and shared laughs. Before that, it traced watercraft journeys across waves, and earlier still, it chronicled sailing—wind, rigs, and the sea’s wild moods. It’s a record of motion, a nod to the thrill of the next horizon.