Near Caliente in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bealville
Named for Edward F. Beale, this station on the Southern Pacific rail line was established in 1876 as a depot and telegraph office. Service was discontinued in 1943. Beale was Superintendent of California Indian Affairs during the 1850s. In 1865 he became owner of the adjacent Rancho El Tejon.
Erected 1962 by Kern County Historical Society, Kern County Museum, El Tejon Parlor No. 239 N.D.G.W. (Marker Number 741.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 35° 16.315′ N, 118° 37.573′ W. Marker is near Caliente, California, in Kern County. It is on Bealville Road Ύ mile north of California Route 58, on the right when traveling north. Located where Bealville Road crosses the railroad tracks. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Caliente CA 93518, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Caliente (approx. 1.3 miles away); Bakersfield National Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away); Arvin-Sierra Glider Port (approx. 2.9 miles away); A Humble Home (approx. 5 miles away); Helen's Park (approx. 5 miles away); Cesar E. Chavez National Monument (approx. 5 miles away); The Great Flood of 1932 and Engine No. 3834 (approx. 6.7 miles away); The Cross at the Loop (approx. 7.1 miles away).
Also see . . . Brigadier General Edward Fitzgerald Beale. (Submitted on December 7, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photo courtesy of the Kern County Library, 1952
6. Bealville, Santa Fe Railroad
This view, taken from less than 30 feet north of the marker site, shows the view of Bealville looking southeast along the tracks. One might reasonably question how a photograph dated by KCL as being from 1952 can be depicting train service in Bealville, if service was halted in 1942. The transcription date from the marker may be wrong (it is damaged), or the photograph date may be wrong, or even both could be correct, as trains still make use of the tracks here.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,247 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on June 24, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on September 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on July 19, 2014, by Mia Kostouros of Los Banos, California. 5. submitted on September 10, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 6. submitted on June 25, 2018.




