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

Old Isabella

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Old Isabella Marker

Inscription. Located to the northwest of here, Isabella, a ranching and mining town, was named by Steven Barton in 1893, after Queen Isabella of Spain, Patron of Christopher Columbus. A post office was established here in 1896. In 1953 the community was moved a short distance south to the present location.

Erected 1980 by Kern County Museum, Kern River Valley Historical Society and E. Clampus Vitus Peter Lebeck Chapter 1866.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 35° 38.975′ N, 118° 27.494′ W. Marker is in Lake Isabella, California, in Kern County. It is on State Highway 178, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located at the entrance to Old IsabelIa Road Recreation Area, on State Highway 178, 2 miles north of the town of Lake IsabelIa. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10716 California 178, Mountain Mesa CA 93240, 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Campsite of Edward Kern (here, next to this marker); USS Arizona (approx. 3.2 miles away); Keyesville (approx. 3.4 miles away); Silver City Ghost Town

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(approx. 4 miles away); Havilah (approx. 4.6 miles away); Old Kernville (approx. 4.8 miles away); Kernville Veterans Memorial (approx. 5 miles away); Kernville (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Isabella.

Regarding Old Isabella. Isabella is a former settlement that was located 4.5 miles north-northeast of Bodfish at an elevation of 2516 feet. The town was relocated prior to the building of Isabella Dam on the Kern River. The area is now inundated by Lake Isabella.
The new town is known as a gathering place for boaters, anglers and hunters and on the day that this marker was documented, the main streets of Lake Isabella were closed off due to their annual holiday parade.

Also see . . .
1. Historical Tour of State Route 178. This tour takes a viewer on a trip along the highway with descriptions and photos. (Submitted on December 4, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. Wikipedia Article on Isabella Dam. (Submitted on December 4, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2009

2. Old Isabella Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Old Isabella Marker

This marker is the small lower marker. The larger upper marker is the State Historical Landmark - See Nearby Marker.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2009

4. Old Isabella Marker

This marker is the small lower marker. The larger upper marker is the State Historical Landmark - See Nearby Marker.

Old Isabella Road Recreation Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

5. Old Isabella Road Recreation Site

Lake Isabella image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 28, 2009

6. Lake Isabella

This view seen from the marker shows a very low water level of Lake Isabella.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,437 times since then and 105 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2014, by Michael Ballard of San Diego, California. Photos: 1. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on December 4, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on December 4, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on December 4, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.