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

Garcés Baptismal Site

Photographed By Craig Baker, March 8, 2021

1. Garcés Baptismal Site Marker

Inscription. On May 3, 1776, three miles north of this point at a Yokut village site in Grizzly Gulch, father Francisco Garcés performed the first recorded baptism in the San Joaquin Valley. The service was held for a dying Yokut boy he called Muchachito (young boy). Garcés was a missionary and explorer in New Spain, making five journeys during the 13 years he lived at San Javier Del Bac (near present day Tucson Arizona). Garcés was martyred five years later on July 19, 1781, in California, west of Yuma, Arizona.

Erected 1958 by Kern County Historical Society, Native Daughters of the Golden West, and Kern County Museum. (Marker Number 631.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1776.

Location. 35° 44.801′ N, 118° 55.564′ W. Marker is near Woody, California, in Kern County. Marker is on Garces Highway (State Highway 155), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located 7.7 miles west of the town of Woody. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 Garces Highway, Woody CA 93287, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies. Mountain House (approx. 5.7 miles away); Woody (approx. 5.9 miles away); Joseph Weringer, Sr. (approx. 6 miles away); Tailholt (approx. 6.4 miles away); Granite Station (approx. 9.9 miles away); "El Cojo" (approx. 10.1 miles away); Fountain Springs (approx. 10.1 miles away); Old Stage Road (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woody.

Regarding Garcés Baptismal Site. The original marker had the following text:
Three miles north of this point was the site of the first recorded Christian baptism in the San Joaquin Valley. On May 3, 1776, Padre Francisco Garcés, earliest white man in this area, baptized an Indian boy whom he called “Muchachito” at a Yokuts rancheria in Grizzly Gulch.

Photographed By Ken Hooper, March 5, 2021

2. Garcés Baptismal Site Marker

Photographed By Craig Baker, March 8, 2021

3. Garcés Baptismal Site Marker

Marker was Missing image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alan Price, May 1, 2015

4. Marker was Missing

Roadside Directional Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alan Price, May 2015

5. Roadside Directional Sign

Original Marker image. Click for full size.

circa 1974

6. Original Marker

Photographed By Ken Hooper, March 5, 2021

7. Garcés Baptismal Site Marker

This is the new Garcés Baptismal Site Marker that replaced the marker that is missing. [Photo by the installer]

Garcés Baptismal Site image. Click for full size.

courtesy Tulare County Library

8. Garcés Baptismal Site

Located three miles north of the marker, on private property. There are springs and ponds nearby.

9. Garcés Baptismal Site

This cross still exists, on private property.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2015, by Alan Price or Jayne Hotchkiss-Price of Caliente, California. This page has been viewed 873 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on March 14, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on March 8, 2021, by Ken Hooper of Bakersfield, California. 3. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5. submitted on May 28, 2015, by Alan Price or Jayne Hotchkiss-Price of Caliente, California. 6. submitted on February 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on March 5, 2021, by Ken Hooper of Bakersfield, California. 8, 9. submitted on December 4, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.