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

Rankin Ranch

Photographed By Alan Price - ECV Chapter 1866

1. Rankin Ranch Marker

Inscription. This valley, Walker Basin, was originally named "The Park" before being named for Joseph R. Walker, an early day scout.

The founder of Rankin Ranch, Walker Rankin was 22 when he left Pennsylvania in 1854 for the California "Gold Rush." He founded Rankin Ranch in 1863 and married Lavinia Lightner, whose family had settled in the basin in 1858. The Rankin home and barns, which are still in use today, were built in the mid 1870's. From that time to the turn of the century Rankin Ranch was a "Stage Stop" for the overland mail and travelers enroute from Caliente to Havilah and Kernville.

The Rankin family is proud to continue this longtime ranching tradition. We dedicate this plaque to the Rankin family, which is celebrating 150 years of ranching in Walker Basin.

Erected 2013 by Peter Lebeck Chapter 1866, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 35° 23.015′ N, 118° 33.288′ W. Marker is in Walker Basin, California, in Kern County. Marker is at the intersection of Caliente-Bodfish Road (County Road 483) and Walker Basin Road, on the left

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when traveling south on Caliente-Bodfish Road. Marker is built in a dirt triangle at the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5723 County Road 483, Caliente CA 93518, 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. Dedicated to Little Lucy and the Lightners (here, next to this marker); Walker Basin (approx. 4.9 miles away); a different marker also named Walker Basin (approx. 4.9 miles away); Caliente (approx. 7.6 miles away); Bealville (approx. 8.7 miles away); First Catholic Church and Cemetery in Kern County (approx. 9.3 miles away); Havilah (approx. 9.3 miles away); Stage Robbery! (approx. 9.6 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker is next to 2 previous brass markers erected to the memory of "Little Lucy", a local Native American raised by the Lightner family in Walker Basin.

Additional keywords. Clampers Lightner Walker Rankin ECV

Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 24, 2013

2. Rankin Ranch Marker

View of the ranch pasture beyond the marker

Little Lucy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 24, 2013

3. Little Lucy Marker

Earlier markers erected before the Rankin Ranch Marker

Rankin Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, September 24, 2013

4. Rankin Cemetery

Established in 1888, the cemetery sits on Walker Basin Road, a mile and a half from the main ranch.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 637 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 28, 2015, by Alan Price or Jayne Hotchkiss-Price of Caliente, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 3, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.