Lebec in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Peter Lebec
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 17, 1837.
Location. 34° 52.471′ N, 118° 53.667′ W. Marker is in Lebec, California, in Kern County. Marker can be reached from Lebec Road near Interstate 5. Marker is located on the grounds of Fort Tejon State Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lebec CA 93243, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Tejon (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camel Trail Terminus (about 500 feet away); The Camels of Fort Tejon (about 500 feet away); Peter Lebeck (about 500 feet away); Camel Brigade (about 500 feet away); Don Pedro Fages (approx. 3.2 miles away); Interstate Highway 5 (approx. 3.6 miles away); El Camino Viejo (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lebec.
Regarding Peter Lebec. The town of Lebec is named in honor of Peter Lebeck or Lebecque, a French trapper.
Also see . . . The Mystery of Peter Lebeck and the X Bear. "Peter Lebeck, the first recorded pioneer of Kern County, was killed by a grizzly bear — we think — on Oct. 17, 1837, at what is now Fort Tejon. (At the time is was just the wilds of the Tehachapi Mountains.) But how do we know this, and who was this Lebeck fellow?
Truth is, we don’t really know who he was, nor even how he spelled his name. It could have been Lebeck, Labeck, Lebecque or Lebec. There has been much historical speculation about Lebeck and what he was doing in this area that led to his violent death in 1837." (Submitted on August 23, 2016, by James King of San Miguel, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 6,490 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 5, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2. submitted on February 17, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on September 5, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on June 17, 2018, by James King of San Miguel, California. 5, 6. submitted on September 5, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7, 8. submitted on May 22, 2015, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 9. submitted on February 17, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.