On July 13, 1884, drilling began at Star No. 1 in Pico Canyon, just west of present-day Santa Clarita, by oilmen Wallace Hardison and Lyman Stewart, under the California Star Oil Works.

The well in Pico Canyon remained in operation until March 28, 1885, due to it being under a lease. Star No.1 contributed to California’s expanding energy economy during the 1880s.

As their operations grew, Hardison and Stewart established a warehouse in downtown Newhall across Railroad Avenue from Campton’s General Store.

“Hanging tree” on Railroad Avenue was reportedly used for that purpose at the turn of the 20th Century. Located in front of the Hardison and Stewart warehouse (shown), across from George Campton’s general store. (SCV History)

The facility supported the storage and logistics needed for their expanding oil business.

Star No. 1 was initially operated by the Hardison & Stewart Oil Company and became part of a broader effort that led to a three-way merger in October 1890.

The company joined Thomas Bard’s Sespe and Torrey Canyon interests to form the Union Oil Company of California, headquartered in Santa Paula.

The work of pioneers like Hardison and Stewart, including the drilling of wells such as Star No. 1, helped lay the foundation for Union Oil’s rise as a major oil company. While often overshadowed by the famous 1876 Pico No. 4 strike, Star No. 1 played an important role in sustaining the region’s growing oil industry.

That legacy ultimately culminated in Union Oil’s acquisition by Chevron Corporation in 2005.

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