Near Buttonwillow in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Buttonwillow Tree
California Historical Landmark
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Buttonwillow Tree Marker
A lone tree landmark on an old trans-valley trail. It was an ancient Yokuts Indian meeting place, later a location for white stock rodeos. Miller and Lux established their headquarters and store here about 1885. The town of Buttonwillow takes its name from this old tree and rodeo grounds.
Erected 1952 by Kern County Historical Society and Kern County Museum. (Marker Number 492.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Historic Trees series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 35° 24.412′ N, 119° 28.453′ W. Marker is near Buttonwillow, California, in Kern County. It is on Buttonwillow Drive half a mile north of California Highway 58, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 597 Buttonwillow Road, Buttonwillow CA 93206, 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 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tule Elk State Reserve (approx. 8.1 miles away); Buena Vista Refinery (approx. 10.8 miles away); McKittrick Hotel and Penny Bar
this page online
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 17, 2011
2. Buttonwillow Tree Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 17, 2011
3. Buttonwillow Tree and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,048 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 12, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
