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

Woody

Photographed By Craig Baker, March 8, 2021

1. Woody Marker

Inscription. Dr. Sparrell W. Woody, pioneer rancher, settled in this area in 1862. In 1894 quartz gold was discovered on Blue Mountain. Copper was discovered in 1891 by Joseph Weringer who operated both the Greenback Copper Mine and the Weringdale Hotel. The townsite of Woody was subdivided by Weringer in 1909.

Erected 1982 by Peter Lebeck Chapter 1866 E Clampus Vitus and Kern County Museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 35° 42.259′ N, 118° 50.063′ W. Marker is in Woody, California, in Kern County. Marker is at the intersection of Woody Road and State Highway 155, on the left when traveling east on Woody Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woody CA 93287, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Joseph Weringer, Sr. (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mountain House (approx. 5.4 miles away); Garcés Baptismal Site (approx. 5.9 miles away); Lynn’s Bull Road (approx. 6 miles away); Granite Station (approx. 6.4

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miles away); Lavers Crossing (approx. 6.8 miles away); Tailholt (approx. 7½ miles away); Glennville Adobe (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woody.

Additional commentary.
1. What the Plaque Doesn't Tell You...
As any good history buff knows, when Col. Thomas Baker first came to “Kern Island”, he bought a shack from a fellow named Christian Bohna ---- But, what you may not yet know, in about 1860, a fellow by the name of Dr. Sparrell W. Woody came to Kern Island and after a short engagement, married Eugenie, Christian Bohna’s daughter in 1861. The two men, Christian and Sparrell began farming (the land where the current Bakersfield Civic Center now stands). During the flooding of the Kern River in 1861-62 the crops of both families were completely washed away. Dr. Woody and Christian Bohna moved their families to the base of Blue Mountain and homesteaded 160 acres each (where the town of Woody still stands today; May 2015, it probably qualifies as “a living Ghost Town” with a recorded 131 residents). Now go back to the Plaque wording. You’ll see the name of Joseph Weringer,

Photographed By Alan Price - ECV Chapter 1866

2. Woody Marker

well, Gold was found on Dr. Woody’s land, and Copper was located on Joseph Weringer’s land. One of Dr. Woody’s sons, Elmer, married Joseph Weringer’s daughter, Frances J. Weringer. At the time of their marriage in 1911, Dr. Woody had recently passed away and left a very successful cattle business and a ranch comprised of over 6,000 acres to his two sons Elmer and Stonewall. Both boys married and both of their families remained on the land at the turn of this Century. About ¼ mile away from the “Woody” plaque, you’ll find the Joseph Weringer, Sr., Pioneer Businessman, Mine Owner plaque.

— Submitted May 17, 2015.

Photographed By Alan Price - ECV Chapter 1866

3. Woody Marker

Photographed By Craig Baker, March 8, 2021

4. Woody Marker

Photographed By Craig Baker, March 8, 2021

5. Street Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2015, by Alan Price or Jayne Hotchkiss-Price of Caliente, California. This page has been viewed 667 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 11, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2015, by Alan Price or Jayne Hotchkiss-Price of Caliente, California. 4, 5. submitted on March 11, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.