Historical Marker · No. 98
Keyesville
Lake Isabella, Kern County · California
Erected by Bakersfield Parlor No 42 N.S.G.W., El Tejon Parlor No 239 N.D.G.W., and the Kern County Chamber of Commerce, 1937
The earthwork fort on the knoll was never attacked. It went up in 1863 against an assault that never came, and the killing that year ran the other way: on April 19 a detachment of the Second California Volunteer Cavalry shot and sabred thirty-five Tübatulabal and Owens Valley Paiute men about ten miles from here, after they had handed over their guns. The bronze records the fear and not the massacre. Richard Keyes found gold in 1853 and the camp worked until 1870. Descendants keep April 19 at three crosses above Wofford Heights.
What the plaque says
California Historical Landmark Keyesville From 1853 until 1870 Keyesville was a center of both placer and quartz gold mining. On the knoll just below the townsite may still be seen the outlines of an earthwork fort, built to meet a possible Indian attack in 1863. The original Keys Mine is still active. Dedicated April 25, 1937 Bakersfield Parlor No 42 N.S.G.W. El Tejon Parlor No 239 N.D.G.W. Kern County Chamber of Commerce Department of Natural Resources Reg. No 98 State of California
Where it stands
35.62625, -118.51060 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Campsite of Edward M. Kern — 3.4 mi
- Havilah — 7.5 mi
- Kernville — 7.7 mi
- Glennville Adobe — 13 mi