Shafter in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Shafter Cotton Research Station

Acala Cotton

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 2, 2010

1. Shafter Cotton Research Station Marker

Inscription. The Shafter Cotton Research Station, established here in 1922 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, developed the "Acala" varieties which were exceptionally well suited to the San Joaquin Valley. The quality of the acala cottons and the marketing advantage of the one variety cotton district, created in 1925, resulted in premium cottons with a world-wide demand. Through the continued vision and cooperative efforts of growers and researchers, production of acala cotton became one of California's largest agricultural enterprises.

Erected 1997 by State Department of Park and Recreation, California Cotton Growers Association. (Marker Number 1022.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 35° 31.947′ N, 119° 16.684′ W. Marker is in Shafter, California, in Kern County. It is on Shafter Avenue north of Merced Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located to the left of the main door of the Shafter Cotton Research Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17053 Shafter Avenue, Shafter CA 93263, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies: Shafter Depot (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Green Hotel (approx. 2.1 miles away); Wasco Union High School Auditorium (approx. 5.8 miles away); Site of Gossamer Condor Flight (approx. 5.9 miles away); Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.7 miles away); Camp Hamilton (approx. 10.3 miles away); Buttonwillow Tree (approx. 14.1 miles away); Tule Elk State Reserve (approx. 14.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shafter.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 2, 2010

2. Shafter Cotton Research Station Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 2, 2010

3. Shafter Cotton Research Station Marker

Located to the left of the main entrance of the research station.

Research Station and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, February 23, 2019

4. Research Station and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 921 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 29, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4. submitted on February 24, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.