SIGNAL HILL, CA — A UNIQUE CITY WITH A COLORFUL PAST
In the 1500s, the Puva Indians used the hilltop to signal other native tribes on Santa Catalina Island, 26 miles offshore. Because of its use as a signalling point, Spanish settlers called the hill “Loma Sental,” which translates as “Signal Hill.”
By the start of the 20th century, stately mansions were built on the hilltop, taking advantage of the beautiful 360 degree views. In 1917 and the discovery that oil was present, changed everything and made the hilltop land even more valuable. The city was incorporated in 1924 and was unusual by the fact that the City of Long Beach, completely surrounded the City of Signal Hill.
The first oil well was drilled by the Union Oil Company and abandoned after failing to produce. On June 21, 1921 the Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company, hit a “gusher” and named it, Alamitos Well Number 1. After this discovery, Signal Hill’s history would be forever changed. Over time it proved to be one of the richest oil fields in the world, having produced over 1 billion barrels of oil by 1984. Still actively producing, with over 1.6 million barrels of oil produced in 1994. At various times in Signal Hill’s saga, city officials thought the oil companies money would be over. Second Stage drilling was discovered (using injected underground water) and the often planned new city improvements were again put on hold.
