Editing Signal Hill, California (section)

===Discovery of oil===

Signal Hill changed forever when oil was discovered. The hill would soon become part of the [[Long Beach Oil Field]], one of the most productive [[oil fields]] in the world.<ref name="MMS">Schmitt, R. J., Dugan, J. E., and M. R. Adamson. "Industrial Activity and Its Socioeconomic Impacts: Oil and Three Coastal California Counties." MMS OCS Study 2002-049. Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California. MMS Cooperative Agreement Number 14-35-01-00-CA-31603. 244 pages; p. 47.</ref> On June 23, 1921, [[Royal Dutch Shell]]'s [[Alamitos oil well|Alamitos #1]] well <ref>Alamitos Well 1 Location: NE corner of Temple Ave and Hill St, Signal Hill. California Historic Landmark #580.</ref> erupted. The [[natural gas|gas]] pressure was so great the [[oil gusher|gusher]] rose {{convert|114|ft|m|abbr=on}} in the air. Soon Signal Hill was covered with over 100 [[Oil derrick#Oil derrick|oil derrick]]s, and because of its prickly appearance at a distance became known as "Porcupine Hill". Today, many of the original oil wells and [[pumpjack]]s are gone, although Signal Hill is still a productive oil field and several wells and derricks remain. Signal Hill is now a mix of residential and commercial areas.

The city was incorporated on April 22, 1924. Among the reasons for incorporation was avoiding annexation by Long Beach with its zoning restrictions and per-barrel oil tax. Proving to be a progressive city, Signal Hill elected as its first mayor, Mrs. Jessie Nelson. She was California's first female mayor.

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