Tehachapi in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Ranching, Farming and Orchards
Antone Pauly came to the Tehachapi area about 1869 to graze flocks of sheep numbering over 3,000. After 1895 large bands of sheep regularly passed through the mountains and were shipped to market by rail from Tehachapi.
In 1880, Moses Hale planted the first orchard when he set out apple trees. By 1891 fruits stands in downtown sold apples to residents and travelers and by 1895 other fruit such as cherries, peaches, apricots, currents and gooseberries were added. In 1909 Bert M. Denison planted the first commercial orchard along Curry Street.
In 1910 the Tehachapi Fruit and Land Company developed 1600 acres adjacent to the town and began irrigation. 1,000 acres subdivided into 10-acre parcels were resold, 500 planted to Barlett pears and apples. By 1930 the lack of attention by absentee owners, escalating property tax and other expenses, water shortages and blight affected the trees, ending the period of great fruit production.
Potatoes were first planted for seed and to sell in other areas and became an important crop with the outbreak of WWII. In 1950 the planting of alfalfa seed began another agri-industry, that of growing grass seed. Sod grass cultivation began in 1960. With the importation of Feather River water, farmers today continue producing row crops, apples, berries and especially turf.
More recently, wine grapes have been planted in Cummings Valley and there are several wineries and tasting rooms.
Erected by Main Street Tehachapi, Tehachapi Heritage League and The City of Tehachapi.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 35° 7.823′ N, 118° 26.877′ W. Marker is in Tehachapi, California, in Kern County. Marker is on Green Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 S Green St, Tehachapi CA 93561, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Early Settlers (a few steps from this marker); First Roads and Highway 58 (a few steps from this marker); Mining, Gold, Salt and Limestone (within shouting distance of this marker); Real Estate Development Since The 1960s (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Hitching Post Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); What a Shock! The 1952 Earthquake (within shouting distance of this marker); People of the Mountains (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tehachapi.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2019, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2019, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.