Community Spotlight: Wasco, CA

Wasco grew up around a Santa Fe Railroad stop in the early 1900s, forming the foundation of the community that still thrives today. Originally called Deweyville, the town was renamed Wasco after it was discovered that another California town shared the same name. Some believe the new name came from Wasco County, Oregon, where many early settlers had originated. Others say it was inspired by the Western American Sugar Company (WASCO).

Wasco is home to Wasco High School, known for its spirited rivalry with Shafter High School — one of the oldest high school football rivalries in California. Since 1933, they have met every year except for a short pause during World War II.

Nestled in California’s Central Valley, Wasco proudly earns its title as “Rose Capital of the World”. In and around this town, nearly 40–55 % of all roses grown in the United States flourish in thousands of acres of fertile fields and greenhouses. These roses are shipped nationwide and have become a symbol of Wasco’s agricultural legacy.

Wasco is located in Kern County, one of the top oil-producing regions in the country, and sits above some of the richest petroleum reserves in California. The Semitropic Oil Field is located only 7 miles outside of Wasco, which contains the deepest oil well drilled in California. This proximity to petroleum reserves has made oil and gas a key driver of the local economy, alongside agriculture.

In addition to roses, Wasco’s surrounding farmland produces grapes, almonds, pistachios, cotton, carrots, and more. This rich mix of crops has helped shape the region into a major hub for California’s farming industry.