Near Laton in Kings County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Kingston

Kings County Historical Society

1. Kingston Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1856 by L.A. Whitmore who operated first Kings River ferry crossing. After 1858 town became stopping place for Butterfield stages. Toll bridge superseded ferry in 1873. On December 26, 1873, Tiburcio Vasquez and bandit gang made bold raid on town, robbing entire village.

Erected 1950 by California Centennials Commission, and Kings County Centennials Committee. (Marker Number 270.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail, and the California Historical Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 36° 25.401′ N, 119° 41.571′ W. Marker is near Laton, California, in Kings County. Marker is on Douglas Avenue, 0.3 miles west of 12¾ Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hanford CA 93230, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mussel Slough Tragedy (approx. 2.6 miles away); Kings County’s First Church (approx. 5.6 miles away); Kings County Jail (approx. 7.1 miles away); Kings County Courthouse

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(approx. 7.1 miles away); Carnegie Museum (approx. 7.1 miles away); El Adobe de Los Robles Ranchos (approx. 9.2 miles away); The Historic Kingsburg Jail (approx. 10.1 miles away); Fred French (approx. 10.1 miles away).

Regarding Kingston. After the construction of a railroad bridge near Kingsburg, the town of Kingston declined and was abandoned. Today, the original town site of Kingston is marked by four palm trees which can be seen in the orchard across the street.
The town of Laton was established when the railroad constructed a bridge near here.

This is California Historical Landmark No. 270.

Kings County Historical Society

2. Kingston Marker

Kingston/Whitmore Ferry image. Click for full size.

Michael J. Semas Collection, circa 1880

3. Kingston/Whitmore Ferry

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2020. This page has been viewed 543 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on October 19, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on July 6, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.