Traver in Tulare County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Traver

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 12, 2014

1. Traver Marker

Inscription. Traver townsite was laid out by the 16 Land and Water company. An auction of lots was held on April 8, 1884. Within sixty days a small town was in existence It prospered for a few years and was probably the largest grain shipping point in the United States. Irrigation caused the alkali to come to the surface in the area nearby and the land became worthless. Construction of the Eastside branch of the Southern Pacific diverted freight to Reedley and Dinuba. The 16 Company sold its canals and water rights to the Alta Irrigation district in 1890. Traver almost disappeared.

Erected 1974 by E Clampus Vitus Dr Samuel Gregg George Chapter 1855. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1884.

Location. 36° 26.887′ N, 119° 29.168′ W. Marker is in Traver, California, in Tulare County. It can be reached from -119.486134 (State Highway 99) one mile south of Merritt Drive (J36). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36005 California 99, Traver CA 93673, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

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flies: The Historic Kingsburg Jail (approx. 5.9 miles away); Fred French (approx. 5.9 miles away); George Boyle (approx. 5.9 miles away); History of Kingsburg (approx. 5.9 miles away); Alta Irrigation District (approx. 8.4 miles away); Poole's Ferry (approx. 9.6 miles away); Libby, McNeill and Libby Cannery (approx. 10.3 miles away); Frank Dusy (approx. 10.8 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker was originally dedicated in 1974, the first year of E Clampus Vitus Chapter 1855, but was stolen sometime in the 1980's. The thieves started to cut up the aluminum back plate, sawing off a piece of it for recycling. The largest part of the marker was then discarded and was not found until three decades later. Dr Samuel Gregg George chapter 1855 re-dedicated this marker during their 40th anniversary.

Instead of leaving the re-dedicated marker in the courtyard at Bravo Farms, it was moved out of the courtyard and leaned against a fence in the back. Somehow the wooden frame that holds the original metal marker caught fire, so the wood is now charred along the bottom. The marker is still intact, just scorched, and no longer standing in the courtyard, it is along a back fence now.

Regarding Traver. Traver's largest tenant, eclectic Bravo Farms, has been

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 12, 2014

2. Traver Marker

called an "Early Knott's Berry Farm" for its antiques and collectables, its 7-story treehouse, and 2nd-floor miniature golf course.

Bravo Farms Courtyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 12, 2014

3. Bravo Farms Courtyard

One of the walls of one of the buildings in the courtyard has a collection of old signs on display. This picture was taken during the re-dedication of the marker.

7-Story Tree House at Bravo Farms image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 12, 2014

4. 7-Story Tree House at Bravo Farms

Bravo Farms Police Car image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 12, 2014

5. Bravo Farms Police Car

Traver Marker Re-dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 12, 2014

6. Traver Marker Re-dedication

Well's Fargo Cash Box image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, July 12, 2014

7. Well's Fargo Cash Box

The entire area is filled with historic items. This old stage cash box is in the courtyard near the Traver marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 1,871 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on March 10, 2017, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3, 4. submitted on October 8, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 13, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide view photo of the marker showing its current location. • Can you help?