Typesite of the Towsley Formation (6-8 million years old), Towsley Canyon is packed with fascinating geologic features. Thick sequences of sedimentary rock have, over the past 2 million years, been folded, faulted, and eroded--exposing spectacular geologic structures. Most dramatic evidence for this is found in "The Narrows" (see map for location).

Some 5 million years ago, this area was covered by a deep ocean which extended much farther inland than it does today. Marine organisms accumulated in thick beds on the ocean floor, gradually being covered with sand and gravel as the water receded over time. Subsequent uplift of the area explains the present occurrence of these oil and gas bearing fields.

Darius Towsley arrived in the canyon at the close of the Civil War, skimming and later drilling for oil by the primitive spring pole method. On June 24, 1865, his claim to the canyon that now bears his name was confirmed by the San Fernando Petroleum District, the first oil organization west of Pennsylvania. Towsley eventually sold the property to Pacific Coast Oil, which became Standard, then Chevron, U.S.A. The Oliver Hawes family moved in about 1931, making a meager living by stripping the old wells (source: Jerry Reynolds).

Towsley Canyon was later the scene of some of the finest horse shows in the West. The site was also a Mecca for film makers looking for rustic backgrounds. Stars such as Clayton (Lone Ranger) Moore, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers rode through the canyon (source: Jerry Reynolds).