G. Allan Hancock's portrait and signature from a book published in 1921

George Allan Hancock (July 26, 1875 - May 31, 1965) was the owner of Rancho La Brea Oil. He inherited Rancho La Brea, including the La Brea Tarpits which he donated to Los Angeles County.

[edit] Early years

Captain G. Allan Hancock was born in San Francisco, California on July 26, 1875. He was the son of Major Henry Hancock. He received his early education in the primary schools and at Brewer's Military Academy in San Mateo, California, which he attended during 1888 and 1889. In 1890, he enrolled as a student at the Belmont School in Belmont, California. Hancock was eight years old when his father died in 1884. He continued in the management and operation of La Brea ranch until he was 25. Hancock married Genevieve Dean Mullen in Los Angeles on November 27, 1901. The issue of the marriage was Bertram and Rosemary Hancock.

[edit] Petroleum

It was at this period that the early discoveries of petroleum were being made in California. La Brea ranch was one of the localities in which petroleum was found. In 1900, Ida Hancock granted a 20-year lease to the Salt Lake Oil Company for 1,000 acres (4.0 km²) of Rancho La Brea. Hancock abandoned his agricultural pursuits and turned his attention to petroleum production. In 1907, after spending three years studying the industry, he urged his mother to allow him enough capital to sink a well on a portion of the property that had not already been leased to oil operators. With the assistance of William Orcutt Hancock, Hancock drilled 71 wells near the family's ranch house. Every well produced oil, and the Rancho La Brea Oil Company was born. The family's finances improved greatly with the beginning of oil pumping. The wells produced millions of barrels annually, resulting in the family becoming very wealthy. With that wealth, Capt. Hancock was able to pursue myriad interests and thus began a life of philanthropy.

[edit] Civic life

Hancock was the owner of Rancho La Brea Oil Company, vice president of the Los Angeles Hibernian Bank, treasurer of the Los Angeles Symphony Association, and president of the Automobile Association of Southern California.

Hancock was also interested in music and played the cello in the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. He was the owner of a 1747 Nicholas Gagliano Violon cello. Hancock was a member of the Bohemian Club, the California Club, the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the Gamut Club, the Uplifters, the Knights of Columbus and a number of yacht clubs.^[1]

[edit] Legacy

Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California is named for him.

[edit] See also

• Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California
• Santa Maria Public Airport
• Southern Cross (aircraft)

[edit] References

1. ^ McGroarty, John Steven. Los Angeles from the Mountains to the Sea, American Historical Society, 1921, p. 83.

• Notables of the West Vol. II. Press Reference Library International News Service, pp. 67, 1915.

[edit] External links

• Page Museum – La Brea Tar Pits
• Hancock Memorial Museum
• Capt. G. Allan Hancock -- The College's Namesake
• Windsor Square – Hancock Park Historical Society