The Urban Oil Fields of Los Angeles

In the 1890s, the small town of Los Angeles (population 50,000) began a transformation driven by the discovery and drilling of some of the most productive oil fields in history. By 1930, California was producing nearly one quarter of the world's oil output, and its population had grown to 1.2 million. In the decades that followed, many wells closed, but even more opened, surrounded by urban and suburban growth. Machinery was camouflaged, loud noises were abated, methane pockets were vented, as residents learned to live side-by-side with oil production facilities. To this day, oil fields in the Los Angeles Basin remain very productive, and modern techniques have centralized operations into smaller areas or moved offshore. Gathered here are images of some of the sites and machinery still in use among the homes, golf courses, and shopping malls of Los Angeles.

Read more
Hints: View this page full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.

Most Recent

  • Maryland National Guard / Reuters

    Photos of the Week: Snow Blooms, Giant Eggs, Dragon’s Teeth

    A wildfire in Venezuela, a deadly terrorist attack in Russia, a surf competition in Australia, Holy Week processions in Spain, a vast solar power farm in Texas, and much more.

  • Lukas Walter / World Nature Photography Awards

    Winners of the 2024 World Nature Photography Awards

    Some of the top nature photography featured in this year’s competition

  • Raj K Raj / Hindustan Times / Getty

    Holi 2024: The Festival of Colors

    Images of this year’s colorful Holi festivals from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Kenya, and the U.S.

  • Idrees Mohammed / AFP / Getty

    Photos of the Week: Green River, Fire Ritual, Space Needle

    A massive ballet class in Mexico City, the Night of Ghosts festival in Greece, severe tornado damage in Indiana, a St. Patrick's Day parade in Tokyo, and much more