Mentryville: Walk through a ghost town near L.A.
Mentryville, site of Southern California’s first commercial oil well, is now a park. Marco Negovschi, Julia Hause and Roo the dog walk the Pico Canyon trail into the park.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)The entrance to Mentryville and its 1890s barn.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)The informational plaque reports that Charles Alexander Mentry struck oil here in 1876, hitting a gusher that would continue to produce oil for more than 100 years.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)The 1885 schoolhouse at Mentryville.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)An outhouse stands next to the 1885 schoolhouse at Mentryville.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)An wooden wheel sits among old machinery at Mentryville.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)A farmhouse built in 1984 by Disney as a movie set at Mentryville.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)A stream runs along the Pico Canyon trail.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)Mentry’s 13-room personal home at Mentryville. Charles Alexander Mentry struck oil here in 1876, hitting a gusher that would continue to produce oil for more than 100 years.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)A steep hillside runs along the Pico Canyon trail on the way to Johnson Park.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)The remains of Pico No. 4, Mentry’s long-pumping oil derrick, moved from its original location years ago and reconstructed for posterity.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)At the end of the road is Johnson Park. Here you will find picnic tables, barbecue grills, running water and public bathrooms.
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)