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Historical Markers and War Memorials in Kern County, California
Adjacent to Kern County, California
▶ Inyo County(94) ▶ Kings County(7) ▶ Los Angeles County(763) ▶ San Bernardino County(217) ▶ San Luis Obispo County(89) ▶ Santa Barbara County(74) ▶ Tulare County(73) ▶ Ventura County(108)
Touch name on list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
Left Plaque:
The 1/5 scale flying model of Voyager was built by Glenn Dunlap of Cincinnati, Ohio, and donated to the Mojave Transportation Museum Foundation in 2009.
The original Voyager, designed by Burt Rutan and built at Mojave . . . — — Map (db m53127) HM
In May 1899, Thomas A. Means owned the land where James and Jonathan Elwood discovered oil on the North Bank of the Kern River. They used a hand auger under the edge of the cliff checking for oil, and later moved to the top to drill. Oil surfaced . . . — — Map (db m64665) HM
This mural depicts Oildale around 1899, from the bridge to the surrounding oil derricks on the hills.
Oildale was called "Waits" during the oil boom.
To your right is Waits Train Station, on Norris Rd.
Several business sprang up, and . . . — — Map (db m64663) HM
William Scodie, born in 1827 in Prussia, originally moved to Keyesville in 1856 and opened an eating establishment. He relocated to this area in 1861 operating a way-station from his house. Stocking his front room with supplies, he sold to locals as . . . — — Map (db m113824) HM
Discovered by Joseph R. Walker, American trail-blazer who left the San Joaquin Valley through this pass in 1834. This area was traversed by topographer Edward M. Kern, after whom the Kern River was named, while accompanying the Fremont expedition of . . . — — Map (db m159834) HM
Came to territory by
covered wagon in 1865
Settled here in 1876
Owned and operated
Gwynne Gold Mine, store
hotel and stage station
cattle rancher, Indian agent
Postmistress — — Map (db m83310) HM
In October of 1897 Mr. Jones opened a dry good store in Randsburg. His building was wiped out in the great fire of May 1898, but saved most of his stock by placing it in a fireproof cellar. After the fire he immediately built a new adobe building . . . — — Map (db m53854) HM
In 1896 Eugene Garlock constructed a stamp mill near this spot for the crushing of gold ore from the Yellow Aster Mine on Rand Mountain. Known originally as Cow Wells, by prospectors and freighters during the 1880’s and early 1890’s, the town of . . . — — Map (db m51672) HM
The Yellow Aster, or Rand Mine, was discovered in April, 1895 by Singleton Burcham and Mooers. The town of Randsburg quickly developed followed by the supply town of Johannesburg in 1896. Both names were adopted from the profusion of minerals . . . — — Map (db m50461) HM
Nicholas N. Miller – Randsburg Drug Store
Nicholas Miller, a native of Michigan, came to Randsburg in December of 1896 and opened a drug store a month later. He was burnt out in both fires of 1898 losing $4,000 in the last fire and an . . . — — Map (db m53851) HM
Gold was discovered on the slope of Rand Mountain in 1895. From this discovery, the town of Randsburg sprang up almost overnight. By 1899, the town had over 3500 residents. Randsburg boasted a 100-stamp mill and conservative estimates are that . . . — — Map (db m78578) HM
The Commercial Hotel
The mining boom of 1922 created a demand for more hotels. To help fill this demand Mrs. Artibe had the Commercial Hotel built in 1922. The lumber for this hotel was finished by the Johannesburg Lumber Company.
My Place . . . — — Map (db m53856) HM
The Joint
Ray and Olga Guyett purchased this building in the 1950’s and established The Joint, restaurant and bar. The Joint has been the center of Randsburg’s social life for over forty years and has the distinction of being the longest run . . . — — Map (db m53853) HM
The Whitehouse Saloon
The Whitehouse Saloon was thought to first open as Whitehouse in the late “Teens” under the management of H.B. “Moses” Elder and his brother Emmett Elder. It was closed down by Prohibition in 1920 . . . — — Map (db m53855) HM
Rand Camp began as a tent city, erected by eager miners who rushed to the Mojave Desert following a major gold discovery in April 1895. A year later, the town of 1,500 had been renamed "Randsburg." Saloons sprouted, a U.S. Post Office was . . . — — Map (db m153141) HM
Kelly Silver Mine
Silver was discovered directly behind this building around 1918. The Kelly Silver Mine was the richest in the world at the time, albeit other silver mines in the area were very profitable as well. As a result, the . . . — — Map (db m152428) HM
One of the richest silver strikes occurred in the community of Red Mountain. The Kelly and Grady claims started a silver boom which brought prosperity to this region in the 1900's. In one 60 day period over $170,000 in silver was mined from a hole . . . — — Map (db m158901) HM
In the background of this sign are the huge tailing piles of The Baltic Mine.
This area is part of the old Stringer District and was discovered in 1896 (a year after the famous Yellow Aster Mine in
Randsburg was happened upon) by William . . . — — Map (db m153090) HM
Few local miners still burrow underground, lured by the rich yellow gleam of gold. Most gold now recovered from California’s Rand Mining District is microscopic in size, and so finely dispersed that it is invisible to the naked eye. Rock containing . . . — — Map (db m153105) HM
South of this sign (in Red Mountain) is The Kelly Silver Mine. Discovered around 1919, it was the richest Silver Mine in the United States
at the time! Its total output was around $13 Million Dollars (more in today's prices!) When first . . . — — Map (db m153132) HM
The Owl Hotel
where the action was!
Dedicated to Hattie, Little
Eva and the girls of the line.
While the men mined silver,
they dug for gold. — — Map (db m152430) HM
North of this sign is the famous Yellow Aster Gold Mine in Randsburg. Three friends, Fredrick Mooers, John Singleton
and Charles Burcham discovered the Yellow Aster Gold Mine in 1895 and so was the beginning of the famous Rand
Mining District! . . . — — Map (db m153138) HM
This District possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States Of America.
The Coso Rock Art District contains the largest concentration of unaltered prehistoric petroglyphs and associated sites in North America. . . . — — Map (db m116049) HM
The MK IV was the more sophisticated follow-on to the better-known
MK III "Fat Man” implosion-type device that was detonated over Nagasaki
on 9 August 1945 to force an end to World War II.
The same size and weight as the MK III and of . . . — — Map (db m153188) HM WM
China Lake is one of the nation’s premier weapons laboratories. Established in 1943, China Lake supports Naval aviation and warfighter requirements, and will continue to arm the Fleet into the future. The Station conceived of and developed rockets . . . — — Map (db m145623) HM
A Monument to
Determination and Perserverance
William Henry "Burro" Schmidt
Took thirty eight years to hand dig this
half-mile long tunnel--Completed in 1936
Born in Rhode Island, January 30, 1871
Died in Ridgecrest, Calif., January . . . — — Map (db m114470) HM
Visited by Padre Garces (1776) while following Old Horse Thief Trace later known as Joe Walker Trail. Fremont stopped here (1844). The famished Jayhawk Party (1850) found water here while struggling from Death Valley to Los Angeles. Still later was . . . — — Map (db m156684) HM
Willow Springs was a stage station on the Los Angeles-Havilah Stage Lines, 1864-1874. From here light traffic went through Oak Creek Pass via Tehachapi to Havilah and Kernville; heavy traffic went northwest to the Inyo mines, or via Jawbone Canyon . . . — — Map (db m156685) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m52055) HM
This building originally located four blocks southeast of
this site was opened for use and dedicated October 11, 1917.
Until closed in 1978, this building served as Shafter’s
gateway to the world as the mail, Western Union Telegraph,
express, . . . — — Map (db m130325) HM
This plaque at Shafter Airport commemorates the world's first man-powered flight to complete the Kremer Circuit, August 23, 1977. The circuit, a figure eight around two pylons one-half mile apart, was completed in six minutes, twenty-two seconds. . . . — — Map (db m131044) HM
Built in 1913 by Kern County Land Company
to accommodate prospective land buyers for the settlement of Shafter
Listed 1989 National Register of Historic Places
Supported by California Office of Historic Preservation Grants
Restored 1989 by . . . — — Map (db m130233) HM
As Taft’s first 100 years is being celebrated in 2010, let’s look back to see from where we came. Taft got its start when the railroad laid tracks to Taft and beyond. Siding Number Two was where it all started along the tracks in the vicinity of 2nd . . . — — Map (db m54388) HM
In memory of the men,
women and children who
were the pioneers of the
Midway Sunset Oilfields,
never to be forgotten. This
cemetery was established
November 1911 by
William Brooks of the Taft
Undertaking Company on
land supplied by . . . — — Map (db m88604) HM
Constructed on the basic plan of Sutter’s original fort one hundred years after its erection in Sacramento by that distinguished pioneer Captain John Augustus Sutter. The building of this replica of one of the most outstanding landmarks to the early . . . — — Map (db m130655) HM
Built of native adobe, The Fort is a replica of Sutter's Fort in Sacramento, originally it was built to accommodate county, state, and federal officers, as well as be utilized as a town hall. The Fort was dedicated on May 22, 1940. — — Map (db m54397) HM
The old Yokuts village of Tulamniu was named Buena Vista by Spanish Commander Fages in 1772. (One of first place names in south San Joaquin Valley.) Fr. Zalvidea again recorded the site in 1806. This village was occupied for several centuries. . . . — — Map (db m130232) HM
The Jameson # 17 oil derrick, which was drilled in 1917 and produced until
the 1980’s, was scheduled to be torn down. In 1974 the local American
Association of University Women and several dedicated people convinced
Jameson Oil Company to donate . . . — — Map (db m88603) HM
The oldest settlement in Tehachapi Valley, known as 'Old Town,' was established here during the 1860s. It was long an important station on the road between Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley. The community began to decline when residents . . . — — Map (db m139964) HM
A street dance held in 1915 commemorated the first electric streetlights installed in Tehachapi. The site of the dance was the corner of Green and F Street. The building there housed the Masonic Lodge and Post Office in 1915, and the mural shows the . . . — — Map (db m53119) HM
The arrastra was a very primitive way of milling or crushing gold ore, using a mule walking in a circle and “drag” stones, a method brought to the New World by the Spaniards. The Tehachapi Heritage League moved the arrastra to this . . . — — Map (db m50254) HM
Located on the northeast corner of "D" and Green Streets, this house was built in 1880 by August Weferling. The redwood tree in front was planted the day he married his second wife, Luella Duty Weferling (an early Tehachapi businesswoman), in 1905. — — Map (db m52801) HM
To quote the authors, Frank F. Latta, Arnold R. Rojas, and Bonnie Ketterl Kane, per Rancho El Tejon’s Mayordomo (Supervisor) of almost sixty years, Don Jose Jesus Lopez (J.J.), about Avelino Martinez; “He was a little dried up gnome of a man, . . . — — Map (db m98873) HM
B.M.Denison House - Located on the northeast corner of "D" and Curry Streets, this house was constructed entirely from cedar wood in 1898 by B.M. Denison. He planted the first commercial Bartlett Pear orchard along Curry Street.
1880s . . . — — Map (db m52811) HM
Originally opened in 1936, the Beekay Theatre survived the historic earthquake of 1952 and endured a number of façade changes before burning in the 1990’s. The reconstruction preserves the original façade behind, which lies a fully modern theatre. . . . — — Map (db m52969) HM
Tehachapi has had a long association with limestone and cement due to the naturally occurring limestone deposits in the region. As early as 1877 a kiln in Antelope Canyon was producing 400 to 500 barrels of lime. Throughout the area there is . . . — — Map (db m134506) HM
The Sacrifices of few ensured the freedom of many. A grateful community remembers those who served in the Armed Forces of the United States during time of war and peace, whose courage and personal sacrifices defended and preserved our freedom. — — Map (db m79895) WM
The first non-Indian man known to visit the local Indians in the Tehachapi area was Father Francisco Garces in 1776. He didn’t record much about them other than to record that they gave him food and were friendly people.
In 1826, mountain man . . . — — Map (db m134566) HM
This house was built by Dr. Russell Peery in the 1890s. It was originally constructed in Cummings Valley for use as a hotel and spa. Later dismantled, it was moved to the present site. In 1928, it was used as a high school, and continued until . . . — — Map (db m52813) HM
Green Street was named for Peter D. Greene, who came to the Tehachapi Area in 1856, when he set up camp in Mormon Gulch near Tehachapi where he prospected for gold (named after a company of Mormons who had previously prospected for gold there.) He . . . — — Map (db m136213) HM
California became a state in 1850. Settlers could lay claim to land by homestead, timber, mining and pre-emption rights. John and Amanda Brite were the first permanent settlers in the Tehachapi area, arriving in 1854 from Texas, building a mission . . . — — Map (db m134562) HM
The Erra family occupied this dwelling for 75 years. The structure was built by a doctor in "Old Town" (or "Tehichipa") 4 miles west of Tehachapi between 1870 and 1875. It was moved to this location on log rollers about 1900. It is the only . . . — — Map (db m52800) HM
The first Methodist & Episcopal Church in Tehachapi was built here in 1881. It was later torn down and the present house was built with the wood from the church. — — Map (db m52802) HM
In the early days of the Tehachapi Valley traveling was arduous as there were only trails and wagon tracks, a few toll roads and the stage routes. The road to Bakersfield from Tehachapi followed the current Woodford – Tehachapi Road, curving . . . — — Map (db m135039) HM
The current building, which was built to house the post office, replaced two older houses. It is now privately owned and houses offices of local businesses.
Across the alley behind the building, there was once a small, tin building that housed . . . — — Map (db m71108) HM
The Richfield Service Station was built here in 1921 by Jack and "Doro" (Theodore) Leiva, who operated the station and adjoining cabins for travelers for over 50 years. It was named the Bartlett Richfield Station due to the many Bartlett Pear trees . . . — — Map (db m52895) HM
Built by Joe Gallinger in 1880, it was purchased in 1926 by Jim and Lucinda (Callie) Wiggins Brite. Upon Lucinda's death in 1944, the Davis family purchased the house. It was customary to drive sheep and cattle along Curry Street to the railroad . . . — — Map (db m52890) HM
This building was contructed after the 1952 earthquake to house a post office, a department store, an electric shop, a variety store and a drug store. The photo shows the two-story frame hotel (formerly the Old Summit School, which was moved to this . . . — — Map (db m52968) HM
In 1947 the Tehachapi Soil Conservation District was organized to advise the farm industry. It was apparent by the early 1960s that if agriculture were to continue as economic force in the District, additional water had to be found. In the early . . . — — Map (db m135047) HM
McFarland House - Located on the northwest corner of "D" and Green Streets, this house was built in the late 1800s by the McFarland family, who operated a sawmill and box factory in Tehachapi, circa 1890.
Late 1880s House - Located . . . — — Map (db m52810) HM
In 1859 and 1860 miners drifted into the area from the Kern River Valley. They found gold and silver in the hills and canyons of the Tehachapi Range. In 1876 the Tehachapi Mining District was formed. In 1877, J.J. Hendrickson made a small fortune . . . — — Map (db m134560) HM
1906-1914: City of Los Angeles builds and operates plant to make cement for Los Angeles Aqueduct and also constructs town named Aqueduct to house workers and families.
1910: Aqueduct train station and post office are renamed Monolith. . . . — — Map (db m52988) HM
“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” as we were assured by Mark Twain, and so it is with the Nüwa/Kawaiisu people, the hunter/gatherers who inhabited the areas from the Southern Sierra Nevada, through the Tehachapi . . . — — Map (db m139925) HM
Father Francisco Garces used the Oak Creek Pass in 1776 to return to the Mojave after exploring the San Joaquin Valley, as did Fremont in 1844-45. Until the building of the railroad through the Tehachapi Pass in 1876, Oak Creek Pass was the only . . . — — Map (db m50250) HM
Built as the Odd Fellows Hall in the early 1930's, it was later used as a movie theatre, dance hall and labor union hall. It was once owned by St. Malachy Church and used as a church hall (1949-53). The structure survived the 1952 earthquake intact, . . . — — Map (db m52892) HM
The present, remodeled bank building was constructed in 1936 as the second St. Malchy Church. In the early 1980's the structure was sold to the newly formed Sierra National Bank, which was acquired by the Bank of the Sierra in May 2000. — — Map (db m52888) HM
This house was built by Dr. Russell Peery in 1890. He owned a drug store in Tehachapi and was noted for having developed the "gold cure" for arthritis. It later became the residence of Albert Ancker, a long time banker who was a President of the . . . — — Map (db m52812) HM
In this village scene from before contact with the white man, women weave baskets and grind foodstuffs in bedrock mortars. Children play games, as the men make tools and weave rabbit pelt blankets. The border shows more recent members and elders of . . . — — Map (db m140486) HM
Tehachapi’s early settlers grazed cattle on the abundant grass of the open range until the great droughts of the 1860s & 70s reduced the herds. Herds increased again in the 1880s and large ranches began such as the Hill Ranch, the Tehachapi Cattle . . . — — Map (db m134558) HM
Golden Hills – In early 1960s, the purchase of four ranches in the Old Town area by the Murchison Brothers of Dallas, Texas, became the major development in the Tehachapi area with 5500 acres, first known as Oak Knolls. Boise Cascade . . . — — Map (db m135041) HM
The original Red Front Blacksmith Shop was located directly across the street from this mural. The workers pictured represent many local ranching families. The images in the ovals next to the buildings show scenes from Tehachapi's ranching history. . . . — — Map (db m53116) HM
The first bank in Tehachapi was incorporated on October 11, 1892, in a dry goods store on "G" Street (now Tehachapi Boulevard). The founder and first President of the Bank of Tehachapi was Isadore Asher, who operated the bank in the rear of this . . . — — Map (db m52966) HM
On this site, the first frame building in Tehachapi was built by Mary and Bernard Kessing. They replaced the original wooden building in 1905 with a beautiful brick building named the Kessing Building, which was destroyed in the 1952 earthquake. A . . . — — Map (db m53123) HM
On February 16, 1914 Silas Christofferson made the first flight over the Tehachapi range above Tehachapi at an “altitude of 800 feet and was in plain view of the mountain folk who turned out in large numbers to see him pass.” There was . . . — — Map (db m134502) HM
Erected in 1904 to replace a former depot destroyed by fire, the Tehachapi Depot served the community until its use as a station was discontinued in 1971. In 2004, a local group began the process of obtaining the depot from Union Pacific. Upon . . . — — Map (db m121882) HM
Originally built by Jean Capdeville as a rooming house, it was later sold to Drs. Madge and Harold Schlotthauer in 1934. It was then used as a hospital until the 1952 earthquake. Although badly damaged, no lives were lost in the hospital. The large . . . — — Map (db m52819) HM
From this spot may be seen a portion of the world-renowned “Loop.” It was completed in 1876 under the direction of William Hood, Southern Pacific Railroad Engineer. In gaining elevation around central hill of loop a 4000 foot train will . . . — — Map (db m134430) HM
The Tehchapi Loop put Tehachapi on the map when it was completed in 1876. Before that time there was no rail access across the Tehachapi Mountains. The historic Loop is pictured here, circa 1952, with a trompe l'oeil effect showing damage to the . . . — — Map (db m53117) HM
This structure was built in 1932 as the Kern County Branch Library. When a new library was constructed in 1981, the County gave the old building to the City of Tehachapi with the stipulation that it be used as a public building. In 1982 the City . . . — — Map (db m52668) HM
Tehachapi Pass became the preferred route connecting the Mojave and the San Joaquin Valley after John C. Fremont and Kit Carson passed this way during the 2nd Fremont Expedition in 1844. Situated at the southern edge of the Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi . . . — — Map (db m51786) HM
In front of you is the world famous Tehachapi Loop which is about halfway upgrade to the Tehachapi Pass. This steep line averages 2.2% in gradient in its 28 miles of length. This feat of civil engineering genius was crowning achievement of civil . . . — — Map (db m134431) HM
An 1897 Bakersfield newspaper reported 642 inhabitants in Tehachapi and that the town was prosperous. Among the 50 or more businesses listed were 2 general stores, 3 blacksmiths, a grocery and a butcher shop, 2 barber shops, livery stables and feed . . . — — Map (db m135048) HM
The "T-Hacha-P" logo was taken from an early fruit crate label. The steam powered combine shown is followed by a horse drawn water wagon, with Tehachapi Peak in the background. Jake Jacobsen, a former mayor and civic leader, along with his brother . . . — — Map (db m53115) HM
In memory of conductor Everett S. Crown, brakeman Allan R. Riess, who lost their lives in a tragic train wreck in San Bernardino Calif. May 12, 1989.
Erected by employees and S.P.T.C.O. — — Map (db m141332) HM
On September 30th torrential rains flooded Tehachapi Creek, undermining the tracks under Santa Fe Engine No. 3834 which was waiting out the storm about ½ mile east of Woodward Station. The engine disappeared into the raging water below. It . . . — — Map (db m11912) HM
The first people to inhabit the Tehachapi area called themselves Nuwa, which means “the people.” Known as Kawaiisu by neighboring tribes, they are of Shoshonean stock and speak a version of Uto-Aztecan language. Anthropologists believe . . . — — Map (db m134573) HM
Avelino Martinez was of Mexican, Indian and Chinese descent, four feet-four inches tall and thirteen years of age when he came with a group of drovers to the United States from Sonora, Mexico, searching for his father. He worked as a groom for . . . — — Map (db m52918) HM
This was the first house constructed in Tehachapi, built in 1877 by Fred Boden. It was occupied from 1895 to 1940 by Mr. and Mrs. T.P. Sullivan. He was the Southern Pacific Roadmaster and was elected to Tehachapi's first Board of Trustees in 1909. . . . — — Map (db m52893) HM
The Tehachapi Pass played an important part in the race to build the first transcontinental railroad. In the south, construction was stopped at Caliente by what appeared as an insurmountable barrier, allowing the northern route through Donner Pass . . . — — Map (db m134561) HM
City of Tehachapi
Respecting Our Past – Planning Our Future
The Tehachapi Museum
Dedicated On May 22, 2010
Built in 1931 in the Art Deco style, this building originally housed the Kern County Library and was later given to the . . . — — Map (db m52829) HM
In 1933 California’s first women’s prison was established in Tehachapi to provide an environment more conductive to rehabilitation than San Quentin State Prison. Two-story buildings were constructed of reinforced concrete in the French Normandy . . . — — Map (db m134503) HM
In the Kawaiisu language, tomo-kahni means winter village. The site's location between the coast and desert allowed the site occupants to hold an important place for trade between these areas and the southern Central Valley. The sacred rock art . . . — — Map (db m92889) HM
At 4:52 a.m. on July 21, 1952 Tehachapi residents were awaken by an earthquake lasting 45 seconds and registering 7.7 on the Richter Scale (lowered in recent years to 7.5). The quake claimed 11 lives, injured others and left 70% of the buildings in . . . — — Map (db m135037) HM
First Panel:
Wind Development
Why Tehachapi Pass?
1) Close to Energy Users
The proximity of Tehachapi Pass to the Los Angeles Basin makes it an attractive location for wind power development, as it reduces the length, . . . — — Map (db m63166)
During the first US energy crises in the 1970s the need for a sustainable and renewable energy was evident and President Jimmy Carter created the first renewable energy program in the country. In the early 1980s the first commercial electricity from . . . — — Map (db m135045) HM
Walker Basin was on the stagecoach route from Caliente to Keyesville. The Western Confederates were here during and after the Civil War 1861 to 1867. Abia T. Lightner came to the basin in 1858 and took up farming and raising cattle. In 1864, where . . . — — Map (db m51829) HM
Originally called "The Park" due to its characteristics, the area, according to the present day historical experts, was named Walker's Basin, sometime in the 1860's after George Walker, its first settler. Early history books indicate, however, that . . . — — Map (db m51830) HM
Left Plaque:
Dedicated to
Little Lucy
and the Lightners
Clyde (Bob) Robinson, Charman • Bob Robinson, Vice Chairman • Ron Wermuth, Secretary • Barbara Allen, Treasurer • June Price Boner, Public Relations • Norie Ellerman, Tribual . . . — — Map (db m71074) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m71073) HM
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