Near Lake Isabella in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Keyesville

California Historical Landmark

— Keysville —

Keyesville Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2016

1. Keyesville Marker

Inscription.
From 1853 until 1870 Keyesville was a center of both placer and quartz gold mining. On the knoll just below the townsite may still be seen the outlines of an earth-work fort, built to meet a possible Indian attack in 1863. The original Keys Mine is still active.

Erected 1937 by NSGW No. 42, NDGW No. 239, Kern County Chamber of Commerce, and the State of California. (Marker Number 98.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • 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 1853.

Location. 35° 37.575′ N, 118° 30.636′ W. Marker is near Lake Isabella, California, in Kern County. It is on Keyesville Road 2 miles west of Highway 155, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mountain Mesa CA 93240, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in

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the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: USS Arizona (approx. 1.9 miles away); Silver City Ghost Town (approx. 2.3 miles away); Havilah (approx. 2.6 miles away); Campsite of Edward Kern (approx. 3.4 miles away); Old Isabella (approx. 3.4 miles away); a different marker also named Havilah (approx. 7½ miles away); Historic Havilah (approx. 7½ miles away); Stage Robbery! (approx. 7½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Isabella.

Additional keywords. Keysville

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Keyesville Marker

Walker Cabin and Barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Walker Cabin and Barn

The oldest still-standing residence in the Kern River Valley.

Photographed by Craig Baker

4. Tunnel

This might be a mine or an underground storage room.

Tunnel, viewed through a locked gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

5. Tunnel, viewed through a locked gate

Sign at Highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 6, 2026

6. Sign at Highway

Keyesville is now Keysville.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 858 times since then and 102 times this year. Last updated on December 9, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on December 3, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 1, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.