Lone Willow Station
Initially a Landmark
On this site there was a single willow tree on the banks of a slough. The willow could be seen for miles around and the vaqueros named the landmark “Palo Solo”, renamed by the immigrant pioneers as Lone Willow.
Stage Station
On September 15th 1858 the Butterfield Stage Company established a stage-line that carried mail and passengers between St. Louis and San Francisco. A stage station was established at this site and was named the Lone Willow Stage Station. The Lone Willow Stage Station continued to be used for various stage companies until the railroad came through in 1889.
Roots of the Town of Los Banos
Pioneers began to immigrate into the west side of the San Joaquin Valley in the early 1860’s. In 1865 Gustave and Julia Kreyenhagen opened the first commercial store here at the the Lone Willow Station. They ultimately moved twelve miles west in 1870. The Kreyenhagen Store became the first post office on the west side in 1873. The post office was named after the nearby “Arroyo de Los Banos del Padre Arroyo” known by the immigrants as Los Banos Crick, and the town was subsequently
this page online
Erected 2017 by Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 141-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 37° 4.767′ N, 120° 45.717′ W. Marker is near Los Banos, California, in Merced County. Marker is at the intersection of Delta Road and McDonald Road, on the right when traveling north on Delta Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Banos CA 93635, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Canal Farm Inn (approx. 4.2 miles away); Henry Miller (approx. 4.8 miles away); Woolgrowers (approx. 4.9 miles away); Guglielmo Marconi (approx. 4.9 miles away); Los Banos (approx. 4.9 miles away); San Luis Camp Adobe (approx. 6.2 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
