Historical Marker · No. 270
Kingston
Laton, Kings County · California
Erected by California Centennials Commission; Kings County Centennials Committee, 1950
The bronze names L. A. Whitmore as the town's founder and leaves out how he died. Lucious Whitmore ran the first ferry over the Kings River here from about 1855, and in 1859 he was killed; the accounts agree he had opposed the removal of the valley's Native people, and one says he was shot defending his Yokuts wife from soldiers rounding people up for the reservations. His ferry became Kingston, whose store was for years the only one between Millerton and Visalia. The site is a grove on the river's south bank.
What the plaque says
Kingston Founded in 1856 by L. A. Whitmore who operated first Kings River ferry crossing. After 1858 town became stopping place for Butterfield stages. Toll bridge superseded ferry in 1873. On December 26, 1873, Tiburcio Vasquez and bandit gang made bold raid on town, robbing entire village. State Registered Landmark No. 270 Tablet placed by California Centennials Commission. Base furnished by Kings County Centennials Committee Dedicated February 4, 1950
Where it stands
36.42335, -119.69284 · Directions