Kernville

This monument had to be rescued from the town it commemorates. Isabella Dam closed in 1953 and put Old Kernville under the reservoir, so the 1937 bronze was carried up to the gate of the cemetery, which stands above high water, and rededicated there on May 3 that year. A second plaque bolted above it records the move. The town itself went upriver, some of its buildings with it. The graves stayed. In low water the foundations of the schoolhouse and the church come back out of the lake.

What the plaque says

California Historical Landmark Kernville Kernville, called Whiskey Flat until 1864, was founded in 1860 when Adam Hamilton, whiskey dealer, moved shop here from more temperate Quartzburg, founded earlier that year. Both camps resulted from the discovery of the Big Blue Ledge by "Lovely" Rogers while tracking a stray mule from the earlier camp of Keyesville. Dedicated April 18, 1937 Kern River Chamber of Commerce Department of Natural Resources Reg. No 132 State of California This monument moved from Old Kernville and rededicated May 3, 1953 by Kern River Chamber of Commerce Kern River Veterans Club Kern River V.F.W. Kern County Historical Society Kern County Museum

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Campsite of Edward M. Kern — 5.0 mi
• Keyesville — 7.7 mi
• Havilah — 15 mi
• Glennville Adobe — 15 mi