Resources - Locations

CALIENTE - Originally known as Allen's Camp. Caliente was established in 1875 as construction headquarters for the Southern Pacific Railroad during the laying of track over Tehachapi Pass. It also served as a freighting center for Kern River communities and as a shipping point for cattle from neighboring areas.

EDWARD M. KERN CAMPSITE - Marker located on State Hwy. 178,1/4 mile northeast of Isabella Dam. The Talbot party of Fremont's third western expedition camped near this spot during the winter of 1845-1846. Kern River and Kern County were named in honor of Edward M. Kern, topographer for the expedition.

FIRST OIL REFINERY -Buena Vista Refinery 10 miles north of McKittrick on Hwy 33. California's first commercial oil refinery. 1864-1867 about 4,000 gallons of illuminating oil were produced there and shipped to San Francisco.

FORT TEJON - Three miles north of Lebec on Interstate 5. Established 1854 by the U.S. Army for protection of Indians in San Juaquin Valley, and to suppress stock rustling. Home of U.S. Camel Corps 1854-64. Abandoned in 1864.

FREEMAN JUNCTION - Marker located on State Hwy. 178,1/4 mile west of State Hwy. 14. In 1834 explorer Joseph R. Walker passed through this junction of old Indian trails after discovering nearby Walker Pass. Death Valley '49er parties en route to the gold fields here diverged west and south after their escape from Death Valley.

GARCES KERN RIVER CROSSING - Marker 8 miles east of Bakersfield on Hwy. 178. In 1776 Padre Garces was carried across the Kern River at this spot by Yokut Indians.

GLENNVILLE - 42 miles northeast of Bakersfield on State highway 155. Founded in 1857 by James Madison "Matt" Glenn this small mountain community contains the GLENNVILLE ADOBE -Oldest known residence in Kern County. Built by Thomas Fitzgerald for Indian trading post at intersection of two ancient trails. Glennville is also home to the county's oldest religious structure, The Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church, first erected in 1866.

GORDON'S FERRY ON KERN RIVER - 3.5 miles northeast of Bakersfield, foot of China Grade. Major Aneas B. Gordon operated a ferry here during the 1850's.

HAVILAH - Eight miles south of Bodfish. Gold discovered here in 1864. Kern County seat from 1866-1873.

INDIAN WELLS - 48 miles north of Mojave on State Highway 14. An Indian, Death Valley '49er, and desert freight line water hole.

JEDEDIAH STRONG SMITH TRAIL - Marker located 11 miles east of Bakersfield at intersection of State Hwy. 58 and old Bena Road. Smith's fur trapping party of 1827 were first American's in this area.

KERN RIVER SLOUGH - Marker 2 miles east of Greenfield on Panama Road. Butterfield Stage Station operated 1858 -1861.

KEYESVILLE - Four miles west of Isabella. A gold mining center from 1853-1870. The first town in Kern County, it was named for Richard Keyes, pioneer minor.

MOUNTAIN HOUSE - Marker 8 miles southwest of Woody on State Route 155. Butterfield Stage Station operated 18581861.

POSEY STATION - Marker at intersection of State Route 155 and Round Mountain Road. Butterfield Stage Station operated 1858-1861.

RAND MINING DISTRICT - World famous mining district. Gold in 1895, tungsten in 1910, silver in 1919.

ROSE STATION - Marker 8 miles south of Mettler Station on Interstate 5. A stopping place for travelers between Los Angeles and Bakersfield during 1860's and 1870's.

TOP OF GRAPEVINE PASS - Marker located approximately 1/2 mile south of Lebec on the old highway to the west of Interstate 5. In memory of historic pass from which Commander Fages caught his first glimpse of the San Joaquin Valley in 1772.

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