Taft, California

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Taft is a city in Kern County, California, United States. The population was 6,400 at the 2000 census.

Taft is situated in a major petroleum and natural gas mining region in California. A large system of oil pipes and refineries surround the town.

During the early 1900s, commercial oil exploration was being pursued around Taft. Some surface-level asphalt pools were discovered in the area. Wells were drilled. Pipelines and railroad tracks were built. The state's most productive oil field, the Midway-Sunset Oil Field in Fellows, is just north of here. The historic Lakeview Gusher was brought in along SR 33 south of town. Taft was the site of a military airfield named Gardner Field which was used to train pilots during World War II.

1 Today
2 Formerly named Moron
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Local Holidays
6 Movies about Taft
7 Movies filmed in Taft
8 Famous Taftians
9 External links

[edit] Today

Today, the railroad is gone but the area has a significant oil industry presence. Workers at the Midway-Sunset Oil Field in Fellows commute from here. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons operates a prison on Cadet Road south of town. There is a large, modern high school serving area students. The West Kern Oil Museum, at 1168 Wood Street, has vast holdings including pumps, fire apparatus, trucks, a historic wooden derrick, photos, models, and extensive displays of local history back to Indian times. The town's newspaper, the Midway Driller, is reputed to be the oldest daily newspaper in California. The town's second weekly newspaper, the Taft Independent, began publication on July 4, 2006. Taft-Kern County Airport (FAA identifier: L17) is located at the east edge of town at FAA-provided coordinates 35°08′27″N, 119°26′28″W.

[edit] Formerly named Moron

According to a display at the West Kern Oil Museum, local residents asked the Southern Pacific Railroad if the station could be named Moro when the rails arrived about 1900. A railroad official, the story says, declined because the name would be too easily confused with the coastal town of Morro Bay. Instead, the railroad directed the station be called Moron. Pictures of local businesses, including the Moron Pharmacy, hang in the museum. After a fire burned much of the town during the 1920s, it was renamed Taft, in honor of the U.S. President of the same name.

[edit] Geography

Taft is located at 35°7′35″N, 119°26′32″W (35.126267, -119.442116)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.2 km² (15.1 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,400 people, 2,233 households, and 1,565 families residing in the city. The population density was 163.2/km² (422.6/mi²). There were 2,478 housing units at an average density of 63.2/km² (163.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.16% White, 1.97% Black or African American, 0.84% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.44% Pacific Islander, 10.39% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 15.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,233 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 108.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,861, and the median income for a family was $42,468. Males had a median income of $47,000 versus $26,838 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,564. About 13.1% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Local Holidays

Every 5 years during October, Taft holds a quinquennial birthday celebration. This event began as a parade and civic luncheon, commemorating Taft's 20th birthday in November of 1930. These celebrations were held every 5 years until World War II, during which time none were held.

After the war, in 1946, the celebrations began again and the Taft Distric Chamber of Commerce made them permanent. A contest was held to choose a name for the event and "Oildorado" was chosen, having been submitted by W.A. Poff.

Today, Oildorado is a week long celebration during which many events are held. There is a beauty pageant where an Oildorado Queen is selected, a beard growing contest, talent shows, barbecues, street fairs, and parades. People usually dress in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat throughout the week.

It is also customary for all men to grow beards during this time. If a man does not grow a beard, he must pay for a permit and wear a bolo tie or lapel pin called a Smooth Puss Badge. If he is caught clean shaven without his badge he may be arrested by the Posse, a group of men dressed in western garb, sporting pistols and rifles filled with blanks. The man will be placed in a jail truck called "The Hooscow" and driven around town for an hour for all to see. Warrants may also be purchased to have somebody else arrested and placed in The Hooscow.

The Posse is overseen by the Grand Marshall. The group patrols the streets, schools, and businesses and engages in make-believe shootouts with the Bandits, who customarily wear handkerchiefs on their faces.

Other staples of this week long celebration include wooden nickels, Dinner Theatres, Classic Car shows, and rodeos.