Built 1889 CHISL # 996 Opened 1889 Phone +1 805-933-0076 | NRHP Reference # 86002619 Designated CHISL 1991 Area 800 m² Added to NRHP 14 August 1986 | |
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Address 1001 E Main St, Santa Paula, CA 93060, USA Hours Open today · 10AM–4PMCesar Chavez Day might affect these hoursFriday(Cesar Chavez Day)10AM–4PMHours might differSaturday10AM–4PMSunday10AM–4PMMondayClosedTuesdayClosedWednesday10AM–4PMThursday10AM–4PMSuggest an edit Architectural styles Italianate architecture, Queen Anne style architecture, American Queen Anne style Similar Museum of Ventura County, Glen Tavern Inn, Punch bowls, Aviation Museum of Santa Pa, Santa Paula Art Museum Profiles | ||
The Santa Paula Hardware Company Building, located in Santa Paula, California, and more commonly referred to as the Union Oil Company Building, is significant for its historical importance as the birthplace of the Union Oil Company on October 17, 1890. Originally the Santa Paula Hardware and Post Office were downstairs, and the Union Oil Company offices were upstairs. The building continued to serve as a field division office after the main headquarters moved to Los Angeles in 1900.
The Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board designated the building County Landmark #36 in December 1977. The building is a California Historical Landmark (#996) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NPS-86002619).
California Oil Museum
In 1950, the Union Oil Museum was established, and in 1990, for its Centennial Celebration, the building was restored to its original appearance and reopened as a new state-of-the-art oil museum known as the California Oil Museum. The exhibits include oil and gas industry equipment such as an 1890s iron and timber operating drilling rig, historic gas pumps and product containers, a recreated 1890s period Union Oil Company corporate headquarters office, and a 1930s period apartment.