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Photographs featuring some of the Westside’s most historical oil derricks and pumping units are currently on display at the West Kern Oil Museum to coincide with Oildorado Days.
The color, framed photos were taken by Roger L. Miller, a third generation Taftian.
Miller’s grandparents, Flint and Mattie Harkleroad and Leo and Charlotte Miller migrated to Maricopa in the early 1900’s and were prominent citizens in the ‘boom town” days of the time.
Harkleroad owned and operated a Grocery Store in Maricopa while Miller operated oil leases in the area. Miller’s parents – John and Betty still reside in Taft.
“These photos are important to me because they represent state of the art equipment from my grandparents’ days,” Miller said.
“When I was involved in the journalism Master’s program at Cal State Northridge, I began to realize the importance of capturing the images of our wooden oil derricks,” he said.
At the time, Northridge had several Los Angeles Times photographers who would lecture on a consulting basis. They believed in the philosophy that good photography was as simple as, “F8 and be there.” This term refers to putting the camera exposure at the optimum level and being at the right place at the right time.
Images reflecting this concept include the flag being raised on Iwo Jima, Lyndon Johnson being sworn in after the John F. Kennedy assassination and the woman student grimacing over a dead body at Kent State.
“The photos at the museum reflect what I was taught,” Miller said. “As the wooden derricks and pumping units were being demolished, I knew it was important to capture the few that were left.
“Someone needed to be there and chronicle them before they disappeared. None of these photos could be reproduced today “
Miller has lived in Taft most of his 57 years and was public information director and journalism instructor at Taft College from 1976-1980. Since then he has managed Pacific Perforating, an oilfield tubular service company. He has three adult children – Garret, Kayli and Clay.
The exhibit will run through the end of the year.
Photographs featuring some of the Westside’s most historical oil derricks and pumping units are currently on display at the West Kern Oil Museum to coincide with Oildorado Days.
The color, framed photos were taken by Roger L. Miller, a third generation Taftian.
Miller’s grandparents, Flint and Mattie Harkleroad and Leo and Charlotte Miller migrated to Maricopa in the early 1900’s and were prominent citizens in the ‘boom town” days of the time.
Harkleroad owned and operated a Grocery Store in Maricopa while Miller operated oil leases in the area. Miller’s parents – John and Betty still reside in Taft.
“These photos are important to me because they represent state of the art equipment from my grandparents’ days,” Miller said.
“When I was involved in the journalism Master’s program at Cal State Northridge, I began to realize the importance of capturing the images of our wooden oil derricks,” he said.
At the time, Northridge had several Los Angeles Times photographers who would lecture on a consulting basis. They believed in the philosophy that good photography was as simple as, “F8 and be there.” This term refers to putting the camera exposure at the optimum level and being at the right place at the right time.
Images reflecting this concept include the flag being raised on Iwo Jima, Lyndon Johnson being sworn in after the John F. Kennedy assassination and the woman student grimacing over a dead body at Kent State.
“The photos at the museum reflect what I was taught,” Miller said. “As the wooden derricks and pumping units were being demolished, I knew it was important to capture the few that were left.
“Someone needed to be there and chronicle them before they disappeared. None of these photos could be reproduced today “
Miller has lived in Taft most of his 57 years and was public information director and journalism instructor at Taft College from 1976-1980. Since then he has managed Pacific Perforating, an oilfield tubular service company. He has three adult children – Garret, Kayli and Clay.
The exhibit will run through the end of the year.
