Mission Viejo in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Whale Fossil

Photographed By Adam Margolis, October 21, 2011

1. Whale Fossil Marker

Inscription.
Originally dedicated on June 4, 1977 by the Mission Viejo Cultural and Heritage Association.

The Fossil was unearthed in the southern part of the city in 1976, and is a partial skull of a Baleen whale belonging to the Bowhead or right whale family.

Alive over 3.5 to 5 million years ago, this whale would have been over 58 feet long and weighed 50 tons with a skull 9 feet across and 14.5 feet long. This is the only fossil skull of this type on scientifically display in California.

Erected by City of Mission Viejo Heritage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Paleontology • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1732.

Location. 33° 36.075′ N, 117° 40.327′ W. Marker is in Mission Viejo, California, in Orange County. Marker is on Christiana Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mission Viejo CA 92692, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fossil (here, next to this marker); La Paz Road & Chrisanta Drive (here, next to this marker); Charlotte and Louise Moulton (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nellie Gail and Charlotte Moulton (approx. half a mile away); September 11, 2001

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(approx. 0.8 miles away); Jason D. Peto (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Marine Division (approx. 0.8 miles away); Megan M. McClung (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mission Viejo.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, October 21, 2011

2. Whale Fossil Marker

The marker is at the top of the stairs on the column at right.

Whale Fossil Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, October 21, 2011

3. Whale Fossil Display

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2014, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 947 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 1, 2014, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.