Historical Marker · No. 277
Garcés Circle
Bakersfield, Kern County · California
Erected by Kern County Historical Society, the Garces Memorial Committee, Bakersfield Parlor No. 42 N.S.G.W., El Tejon Parlor No. 239 N.D.G.W., the city and county chambers of commerce, Union Oil Company, and public donations, 1939
The landmark is the intersection, not the friar standing in it. California registered this traffic circle in October 1937 as the approximate site of a rancheria Garcés visited in May 1776, and the statue arrived two years later: sixteen feet of Indiana limestone cut by John Palo-Kangas for the Federal Art Project and unveiled on May 7, 1939, the anniversary of the day Garcés reached the Kern. The Los Angeles Times said Indians would unveil it and a monsignor bless it. In 1955 an overpass went in and the friar was moved fifty-five feet off centre.
What the plaque says
Francisco Garces 1738 1781 Spanish Franciscan Padre Garces seeking a new route between Sonora, Mexico and Monterey crossed Rio de San Felipe (Kern River May 7, 1776) at Rancheria San Miguel, now Bakersfield. First recorded white man in this locality. He brought Christianity to the Indian and on Rio Colorado his brave life was crowned with martyrdom. "Greater love hath no man than this - that a man lay down his life for his friends." Historical Landmark Reg. No. 277 State of California Garces Circle Bakersfield Dedicated May 7, 1939 Monument made possible by - Kern Co. Historical Society Bakersfield Council K. of C. Garces Memorial Committee Bakersfield Parlor No. 42 N.S.G.W. City of Bakersfield Kern Co. Chamber of Commerce El Tejon Parlor No. 239 N.D.G.W. Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Public donations Union Oil Company
Where it stands
35.38700, -119.01883 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Last Home of Alexis Godey — 0.9 mi
- Colonel Thomas Baker — 1.0 mi
- Home of Elisha Stevens — 1.0 mi
- Gordon's Ferry on the Kern River — 3.9 mi