Misplaced Pages

#970029

70-484: Peter Lebeck (died 17 October 1837, sometimes written Lebec or Lebecque ) was an early settler of Kern County, California . The only certain information known about him is that he was killed by a bear, probably a California grizzly , and buried underneath a valley oak in 1837. The tree he was buried under is known as the Peter Lebeck Oak . He is attested only by his grave marker , now at Fort Tejon , but

140-594: A "ghost night" every October 17 in reference to Lebeck. Kern County, California Kern County is a county located in the U.S. state of California . As of the 2020 census , the population was 909,235. Its county seat is Bakersfield . Kern County comprises the Bakersfield, California, Metropolitan statistical area . The county spans the southern end of the Central Valley . Covering 8,161.42 square miles (21,138.0 km ), it ranges west to

210-780: A Catholic French-Canadian trapper of the Hudson's Bay Company —judging by the Catholic-style Christogram seen on his grave—granted by the Governor of California to hunt in the Tulare Valley . The only primary source for his life is the epitaph, reading: IHS + PETER LEBECK KILLED BY A x BEAR OCT 17 1837 The bear in question has been identified as a California grizzly, as early European-American settlers in California referred to brown bears as "x bears" due to

280-726: A Peter Lebecque, who lives in a hut in Cañada de las Uvas . He is killed by a bear and buried under an oak in Tejon Pass. Austin also describes Lebeck and the Lebeck Oak in The Flock . San Joaquin poet Don Thompson writes of Lebeck in his collection Local Color . The town of Lebec, California is named for him, and the tree he is buried under is likewise known as the Peter Lebeck Oak. The Fort Tejon Historical Park holds

350-507: A household in the county was $ 35,446, and the median income for a family was $ 39,403. Males had a median income of $ 38,097 versus $ 25,876 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 15,760. About 16.8% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 27.8% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over. Kern County is associated with the Bakersfield sound . The Buck Owens Crystal Palace

420-406: A maximum perceived intensity of VIII (Severe) and resulted in two additional deaths and an additional $ 10 million in property damage. Repercussions of the sequence of earthquakes were still being felt in the heavily damaged downtown area of Bakersfield well into the 1990s as city leaders attempted to improve safety of the surviving non-reinforced masonry buildings. Following the event, a field survey

490-508: A pursuit and negotiation in which many were allowed to keep their arms for the return march over the mountains. In the beginning, what was to become Kern County was dominated by mining in the mountains and in the desert. In 1855 the California legislature attempted to form a county in the area by giving the southeastern territory of Tulare County on the west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Buena Vista County . However, it

560-496: A recreated troopers' quarters. The commanding officer's quarters have several restored and furnished rooms. Officers' quarters nearby are only stabilized in a state of arrested decay , with walls buttressed by masonry and lumber and tied together with reinforcing rods. A quartermaster building has been reconstructed and houses materials used in dragoon life and Civil War reenactments. The sites of former buildings, planned for reconstruction, are marked by split rail fences along

630-588: A whole is seen as being competitive with a Republican lean. The remainder of the unincorporated areas of Kern County are seen as strongly Republican. In the United States House of Representatives , Kern County is split between California's 20th congressional district , represented by Republican Vince Fong , California's 22nd congressional district , represented by Republican David Valadao , and California's 23rd congressional district , represented by Republican Jay Obernolte . In

700-424: Is a California Constitution -defined general law county and is governed by an elected Board of Supervisors. The Board consists of five members, elected by districts, who serve four-year staggered terms. The county government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, some law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. In addition,

770-649: Is a non-attainment area for particulates. Air pollution caused by particulates is "in the unhealthy range an average of 40 days a year, according to the American Lung Association 's (ALA) 2018 State of the Air Report. Chaparral comprises a considerable portion of the natural area within Kern County; the species diversity within these chaparral habitats, however, is considerably less than in many other regions of California. Whitethorn

SECTION 10

#1732791177971

840-579: Is a prominent example of chaparral species on the rocky slopes of the Sierra Nevada as well as the Inner Coastal Ranges. California Buckeye is a notable tree found in both chaparral and forests and whose southern range terminates in Kern County. According to the 2020 United States Census , Kern County's population was 909,235. It was the eleventh-largest county by population in California. The center of population of California

910-620: Is a strongly Republican county in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Democratic candidate for president to win a majority in the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964 . The county is also a Republican stronghold at the state level, with Jerry Brown being the last Democrat to win the county in a gubernatorial election in 1978. Kern remains the only county in Southern California that consistently votes Republican in recent elections. However, Republican margins in

980-585: Is also a strong aviation, space, and military presence, such as Edwards Air Force Base , the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station , and the Mojave Air and Space Port . With a population that is 54.9% Hispanic as of 2020, Kern is California's third-most populous majority-Hispanic county and the sixth-largest nationwide . Native Americans lived in this region for hundreds of years: Chumash , tribes grouped together under

1050-416: Is among the most prolific with the death penalty, assigning death penalty sentences in 26 cases since 1976. In 2015 Kern County policemen from all departments killed more people per capita than any other American county. Because of the very harsh local criminal justice system, Kern County has been dubbed "the most punitive authoritarian jurisdiction on the west coast" and " Oklahoma of the west". In 2015, it

1120-635: Is contracted to provide dispatch services for the California City Fire Department. Over 546 uniformed firefighters are stationed in 46 fire stations throughout the county. The Kern County Sheriff's Department is the agency responsible for law enforcement within the county of Kern. The department provides law enforcement within the county, maintains the jails used by both the county and municipal cities, and provides search and rescue. The department contains over 1,200 sworn deputies and civilian employees. Its jurisdiction contains all of

1190-627: Is currently housed in the U.S. Forestry Service ranger station at Fort Tejon. The Native Sons and Daughters of the El Tejon and Bakersfield parlors placed a granite monument at the site on 5 April 1936. E Clampus Vitus dedicated a plaque on the site on 14 October 1972. Further, the Kern County division of E Clampus Vitus is named Peter Lebeck Chapter #1866. Mary Hunter Austin 's novel Isidro , published serially in The Atlantic , features

1260-443: Is found in the foothill, mountain and high desert communities of the county. The cities of Maricopa, Ridgecrest, Taft and Tehachapi are Republican strongholds. Along with the northern parts of Bakersfield, the wealthy unincorporated area of Rosedale and working-class Oildale are also seen as being strongly Republican. Cities like California City and the western areas of Bakersfield are seen as competitive in most elections. Bakersfield as

1330-585: Is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors . Jeff Flores of District 3 currently serves as chairman. As of August 2, 2024, they are: Fire protection within the county is provided by the Kern County Fire Department . Law enforcement within the county is provided by the Kern County Sheriff's Department . The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) is an agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for

1400-644: Is home to the Tehachapi Energy Storage Project , which was commissioned in 2014. Department of Defense facilities include Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station . As home to Edwards Air Force Base the Air Force's main flight test facility, Kern has been the site of many milestones, including the first supersonic flight and the first landing of the Space Shuttle . The base has brought prosperity to

1470-726: Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . In 1940, at the urging of local citizens, the Tejon Ranch Company deeded 5 acres (2.0 ha) to the State of California to establish a state park. Its original historic buildings have been documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey . Several buildings have been restored, and two are partially open to visitors. The restored barracks contain display cases of uniforms and

SECTION 20

#1732791177971

1540-492: Is located in Bakersfield. The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Kern County as the Bakersfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area . The United States Census Bureau ranked the Bakersfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area as the 63rd most populous metropolitan statistical area and the 68th most populous primary statistical area of the United States as of July 1, 2012. Kern County

1610-717: Is located in Kern County, in the town of Buttonwillow . According to the 2020 United States Census : (Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics may be counted in any race.) The 2010 United States Census reported that Kern County had a population of 839,631. The racial makeup of Kern County was 499,766 (59.5%) White, 48,921 (5.8%) African American, 12,676 (1.5%) Native American, 34,846 (4.2%) Asian, 1,252 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 204,314 (24.3%) from other races, and 37,856 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 413,033 persons (49.2%); 43.4% of Kern County residents are of Mexican heritage, 1.0% Salvadoran, 0.5% Colombian, and 0.4% Guatemalan. According to

1680-625: Is the site of frequent Civil War reenactments presented by the Fort Tejon Historical Association. The park contains a number of natural features of interest, including centuries-old valley oaks and California condors . The Fort Tejon earthquake occurred at about 8:20 AM (Pacific time) on January 9, 1857. It ruptured the San Andreas Fault for a length of about 350 kilometers (220 mi), between Parkfield and San Bernardino . Displacement along

1750-463: The 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake . On July 21, 1952, an earthquake occurred with the epicenter about 23 miles (37 km) south of Bakersfield. It measured 7.3 on the moment magnitude scale and killed 12 people. In addition to the deaths, it was responsible for hundreds of injuries and more than $ 60 million in property damage. The main shock was felt over much of California and as far away as Phoenix, Arizona and Reno, Nevada. The earthquake occurred on

1820-518: The 2000 United States Census of 2000, there were 661,645 people, 208,652 households, and 156,489 families residing in the county. The population density was 81 people per square mile (31 people/km ). There were 231,564 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 61.6% White, 6.0% Black or African American, 3.4% Asian, 1.5% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 23.2% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. 38.4% of

1890-663: The State Assembly , Kern County is split between the following four Assembly districts: In the State Senate , Kern County is split between the 14th Senate District , represented by Democrat Anna Caballero , and the 16th Senate District , represented by Democrat Melissa Hurtado . On November 4, 2008, Kern County voted 75.29% in favor of Proposition 8 , which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages. Kern County

1960-611: The Stockton - Los Angeles Road . From 1858, it was a stagecoach station on the Butterfield Overland Mail , which followed the same route as far as Visalia . From 1858, Fort Tejon was the western terminus of the experimental U.S. Camel Corps , which used imported camels in an effort to carry supplies across arid regions in the Southwest . The soldiers found the camels hardy, but temperamental, and they spooked

2030-651: The County serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas. The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) provides fire protection and emergency response services for the unincorporated areas of the county, as well as the cities of Arvin , Delano , Maricopa , McFarland , Ridgecrest , Shafter , Taft , Tehachapi and Wasco . Bakersfield has its own fire department, the Bakersfield Fire Department . The Kern County Sheriff provides court protection, jail administration, and coroner services for

2100-586: The East in July 1861 soon after the outbreak of the American Civil War . The fort was re-occupied by California volunteer troops in 1863. Those units included Companies D, E and G of the 2nd California Volunteer Cavalry from July 6 to August 17, 1863; and Company B of the 2nd California Volunteer Infantry, which remained there until Fort Tejon was abandoned for good on September 11, 1864. The fort lay along

2170-479: The White Wolf Fault and was the strongest to occur in California since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake . Tehachapi suffered the greatest damage and loss of life from the earthquake, though its effects were widely felt throughout central and southern California. The event had a significant aftershock sequence that persisted into July and August with the strongest coming on August 22, an M5.8 event with

Peter Lebeck - Misplaced Pages Continue

2240-418: The area in 1847. The journal of Robert S. Bliss, for 31 July 1847, reads ...After staking out my horses I ascended the mountains to some spruce trees near the top. There I took a view of the mountain scenery; it was grand in the extreme. I saw many signs of bear, antelope, and deer, as this is a general watering place for those animals. I found the head of a bear which I brought to camp. Our Indian pilot said it

2310-504: The bark was beginning to cover the epitaph in 1855. By the time John Xantus was living at Fort Tejon, between 1857 and 1859, the inscription had been covered by new bark. In 1890, an informal group from Bakersfield called the Foxtail Rangers, including local sheriff Henry L. Borgwardt Jr., removed the bark with the permission of Edward Fitzgerald Beale and rediscovered the inscription in reverse on its underside. Four feet under

2380-543: The bear fatally mauled him. The visit was probably in 1893. Outside of this, nothing else solid is known about Lebeck. A number of apocryphal works and speculative theories have emerged regarding him, such as that he was an Acadian French spy sent by the Republic of Texas . A memoir attributed to Lebec and published in a local newspaper claims he was a Lieutenant of Engineers in the French Army named Pierre Lebecque, who

2450-415: The county have shrunk recently, with Donald Trump's 10.2% margin of victory in 2020 being the smallest since Gerald Ford's 6.7% majority in 1976 . This makes constituencies in Kern County in particular some of the most widely contested in California, and the United States as of the early 2020s, with the 2022 race for the 22nd US House district being close, and the 26th Senate District having one of

2520-497: The county is Sawmill Mountain with an elevation of 8822 ft. Its area is nearly the size of the state of New Hampshire ; it extends: Kern County suffers from severe air pollution. Particulates cause poor visibility, especially in the winter. Western Kern County lies in the San Joaquin Valley and the topography traps pollutants. Although the topography is not as unfavorable in eastern Kern County, eastern Kern County

2590-412: The county of Kern, California, USA. Over 625 permanent employees and 100 extra help employees protect an area which spans over 8,000 square miles (21,000 km ). KCFD provides fire protection services for over 500,000 citizens living in the unincorporated areas of Kern County and the cities of Arvin , Delano , Maricopa , McFarland , Ridgecrest , Shafter , Taft , Tehachapi and Wasco . This agency

2660-463: The date of publication of the article, there have been 13 deaths by police shootings in a county of less than 875,000 population, or 0.016 per thousand persons. By comparison, during the same period of time in New York City, a population 10 times the size with a police force more than 20 times the size, there were 9 such deaths. The following table includes the number of incidents reported and

2730-516: The earliest examples of historic sites archaeology in California. The removed bark was initially in the possession of the local Kern County Sheriff's Office . Truxtun Beale , Edward's son, sued in the Superior Court for possession of the carving. In 1940, the State of California acquired part of the original Fort Tejon property for a state park , however, this grant did not include the Lebeck Oak or several lesser structures. The epitaph

2800-402: The entire United States), hay is 4%, and cotton and potatoes are both 2%, of that. This is one of the highest-producing locations in the United States for vegetables , and also for watermelons . Vegetables are estimated to total $ 320 million every year. There are about 1,938 farms, at an average size of 1,202 acres (486 ha) (however 41% are smaller than 50 acres (20 ha)), being

2870-647: The entire county of approximately 900,000 in population. It provides patrol and detective services for the unincorporated areas of the county and by contract to certain municipalities. The main Sheriff's office and station is at Bakersfield. There are 15 sheriff substations for the widespread county. Municipal police departments in the county are: Bakersfield, population 384,000; Delano, 54,000; Ridgecrest, 29,000; Wasco, 28,000; Arvin, 21,000; Shafter, 20,000; McFarland, 15,000; California City, 14,671; Tehachapi, 13,000; Taft, 9,327; Maricopa (sheriff contract city), 1,200. Kern

Peter Lebeck - Misplaced Pages Continue

2940-429: The event were significant, and a reconnaissance report was recognized for its coverage of the event, and its setting a standard for similar engineering or scientific papers. Between 1983 and 1986, several ritual sex ring child abuse cases occurred in Kern County, resulting in numerous long prison sentences, all of which were overturned—some of them decades later, because the prosecutors had coerced false testimonies from

3010-542: The fault was as much as 9 meters (30 feet) in the Carrizo Plain but less along the Palmdale section of the fault, closest to Los Angeles. The amount of fault slip gives this earthquake a moment magnitude of 7.9, comparable to that of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake . Based on the (uncertain) distribution of foreshocks for this earthquake, it is assumed that the beginning of the fault rupture (the epicenter)

3080-458: The horses used by the cavalry. The great earthquake of 1857, which became known as the Fort Tejon earthquake , was centered nearly 100 miles away. The earthquake became associated with the fort by name because the area near the epicenter was sparsely populated. The most reliable report of the event was issued from the fort, nearly 93 miles (149.7 km) distant. The state historic park

3150-554: The inner Tulare Valley was not explored until 1776. Anglo-Americans began to enter the area in 1826. The lower Central Valley was still politically dominated by Yokuts -speaking people. The California grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) is an extinct population of the brown bear which was formerly common across California. It was larger and more aggressive than the extant black bear . Adult grizzlies do not climb trees effectively and respond to threats by standing their ground and warding off their attackers. Lebeck may have been

3220-553: The natives. The battle occurred in the canyon where San Emigdio Creek flows down San Emigdio Mountain and the Blue Ridge, south of Bakersfield near today's Highway 166. Mexican forces from Monterey were commanded by Carlos Carrillo and the conflict was a low-casualty encounter, with only four Native Americans being killed and no Mexicans. The surviving Native Americans were pacified and brought back to Santa Barbara in June 1824 after

3290-404: The outlines of their foundations. A park office, containing exhibits of dragoon life and restrooms, is at the east end of the parade ground near the parking lot by Interstate 5 . The park grounds include the original barracks, where the soldiers slept, and also the grave site of Peter Lebeck , which is indicated with a historical marker. The nearby town of Lebec is named after him. Fort Tejon

3360-468: The party of Robert S. Williamson , made note of the monument and an "unusual number of grizzly bears" in 1853, writing that it was a "durable monument." Fort Tejon was founded in the immediate vicinity in 1854 to suppress stock rustling and protect Native Americans in the San Joaquin Valley, with Lebeck's grave marking the north corner of the parade ground. William Ingraham Kip noticed

3430-457: The pattern of dark fur sometimes seen on their back. There is a single California grizzly specimen showing this pattern at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley (MVZ 16615). William F. Edgar was told by Native Americans living at Fort Tejon that Lebeck, a trapper passing through the canyon, went off by himself in pursuit of a large grizzly and shot it underneath the oak tree. Approaching it,

3500-538: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 8.4% were of German, 7.2% American and 5.7% Irish ancestry, according to the census. 66.8% spoke English, 29.1% Spanish and 1.0% Tagalog as their first language. There were 208,652 households, out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who

3570-534: The primary employment of 63% of operators. Fort Tejon The fort's mission was to suppress stock rustling and protect settlers from attacks by discontent Californios (pre-statehood residents), and Native American tribes, including the Paiute and Mojave , and to monitor the less aggressive Emigdiano living nearby. The Emigdiano, who were closely related to the Chumash of the coastal and interior lands to

SECTION 50

#1732791177971

3640-535: The purported child victims. The details of these false accusations are covered extensively in the 2008 documentary Witch Hunt , narrated by Sean Penn . According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 8,163 square miles (21,140 km ), of which 8,132 square miles (21,060 km ) is land and 31 square miles (80 km ) (0.4%) is water. It is the third-largest county by area in California. The tallest peak in

3710-543: The railroad towns of Mojave and Rosamond . Kern County is also the home of the first inland spaceport in the United States, the Mojave Spaceport . This has long been one of the county's biggest industries. Between 2012 and 2013 the produced value of ag products increased 6%, to a total of $ 6.8 billion. Grape is 31%, almond is 17%, milk is 13%, citrus is 11%, cattle + calves and pistachio are both 7%, carrots are only 6% (but that's 80% of carrots for

3780-558: The rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense. The county has a large agricultural base and is a significant producer of oil , natural gas , hydro-electric power , Biomass , solar power , and wind power . Kern is noted for minerals , including gold , borate , and kernite . The largest open pit mine in California, which mines borax , is at Boron . As of October 1, 2016, Kern County contains nearly 25% of California's in-state renewable energy production, including 1,785 MW of solar power and 3,310 MW of wind power. Kern County

3850-531: The settler name Yokuts , and others. Spain claimed the area in 1769. Entering from Grapevine Canyon to the south in 1772, Commander Don Pedro Fages became the first European to set foot in the area. The Battle of San Emigdio took place in Kern County in March 1824. The Chumash Native Americans of Mission Santa Barbara rebelled against the Mexican government and its taking over mission property and ejecting

3920-534: The southern slope of the Coast Ranges , and east beyond the southern slope of the eastern Sierra Nevada into the Mojave Desert , at the city of Ridgecrest . Its northernmost city is Delano , and its southern reach extends to just beyond Frazier Park , and the northern extremity of the parallel Antelope Valley . The county's economy is heavily linked to agriculture and to petroleum extraction. There

3990-432: The surface, they exhumed a skeleton "nearly six feet long, and broad in proportion" with "a remarkable state of preservation." The body was laid east-west, with the left arm folded over the breast. The right forearm, both feet, and the left hand were missing. Two ribs on the left side were broken. A contemporary newspaper article reports that Lebeck was buried with the bear that killed him. The exhumation has been called one of

4060-552: The tightest margins in electoral history, with incumbent Democrat Melissa Hurtado retaining her seat by 13 votes. Democratic strength is concentrated in the small agricultural towns in the San Joaquin Valley portion of the county, such as Arvin, Delano, McFarland, Shafter and Wasco. Unincorporated communities close to agricultural areas, such as Lamont and Lost Hills, are Democratic strongholds. The eastern and southern parts of Bakersfield, along with unincorporated East Bakersfield have also become reliably Democratic. Republican strength

4130-495: The time due to swamps, lakes, tule reeds and diseases such as malaria. This changed when residents started draining land for farming and constructing canals, most dug by hired Chinese laborers. Within 10 years the valley surpassed the mining areas as the economic power of the county, and as a result the county seat was moved from Havilah to Bakersfield in 1874. In 1899, the discovery well of the Kern River Oil Field

4200-536: The unincorporated areas of Kern County, approximately 8,000 square miles (21,000 km ). The department headquarters is located at 1350 Norris Road in Bakersfield. There are 15 additional substations located throughout the county. The metro patrol area is divided into four regions: north, south, east, and west. In 2009, the district attorney claimed "the highest per capita prison commitment rate of any major California county." Kern County contains multiple state and federal prisons, including two private prisons. The county

4270-552: The unknown circumstances of his identity and death have cemented his position in the culture of the San Joaquin Valley . He represents the earliest known victim of a bear attack in California. Modern-day California in the 1830s was part of the Mexican state of Alta California , initially half of the Spanish province of Las Californias (along with Baja California .) Europeans first made contact with coastal California in 1542, but

SECTION 60

#1732791177971

4340-577: The west, had several villages near Fort Tejon. After the earlier Spanish and Mexican colonial Indian Reductions , they were generally cooperative with the European-American settlers and the U.S. Army. At the urging of Edward Fitzgerald Beale , Superintendent of Indian Affairs in California, the U.S. Army established Fort Tejon in 1854. Fort Tejon was the headquarters of the First U.S. Dragoons until those Regular Army troops were transferred to

4410-462: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.50. In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 31.9% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.3 males. The median income for

4480-411: Was conducted along the fault zone with the goal of estimating the peak ground acceleration of the shock based on visually evaluating rock formations and other indicators. Ground disturbances that were created by the earthquakes were also surveyed, both in the valley and in the foothills, with both vertical and horizontal displacements present in the epicenter area. The motion records that were acquired from

4550-547: Was dug by hand and soon the towns of Oil City , Oil Center and Oildale came into existence. The county derives its name from the Kern River , which was named for Edward Kern , cartographer for General John C. Frémont 's 1845 expedition, which crossed Walker Pass . The Kern River was originally named Rio Bravo de San Felipe by Father Francisco Garcés when he explored the area in 1776. Throughout recorded history, severe earthquakes have struck Kern County, including

4620-430: Was in the area between Parkfield and Cholame , about 60 miles northwest. Nevertheless, it is usually called the "Fort Tejon" earthquake because this was the location of the greatest damage, most of the area being unpopulated at the time. 34°52′26″N 118°53′39″W  /  34.874000°N 118.89430°W  / 34.874000; -118.89430 Source: "List of Butterfield Overland Mail Stations "Itinerary of

4690-421: Was never officially organized prior to 1859, when the enabling legislation expired. The south of Tulare County was later organized as Kern County in 1866, with additions from Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties . Its first county seat was the mining town of Havilah , in the mountains east of Bakersfield and north of Tehachapi . Settlers considered the flat land of the valley inhospitable and impassable at

4760-518: Was present with Napoleon on Elba . In 1915, a five franc coin, dated 1837, was found in the ruins of an adobe hospital on Fort Tejon grounds, fueling legends that he was connected to the French government. The grave of Lebeck and the inscription is mentioned, along with the carcass of a bear, in the diaries of three members of the Mormon Battalion , a group of volunteers who passed through

4830-651: Was revealed that the Kern County Sheriff's office engaged in a longstanding program of attempted cash payoffs to women who had accused deputies of sexual assault. In the same year, a civil lawsuit filed by a survivor of a sexual assault committed by Kern County Sheriff's deputy Gabriel Lopez was settled for $ 1 million. Kern County had the most deaths per capita in the US by police shooting per an article published in The Guardian on December 1, 2015. In 2015 to

4900-477: Was the bear that killed a man in this place. While I was writing, one of our boys said there was a grave within a few rods of our camp. I quit writing and visited the grave. I read on a tree at the head of the same: 'Peter Lebeck killed by a bear Oct. 17, 1837', with a cross over the writing and the letters J. S. (Jesus Salvador). After the Mexican-American War , William Phipps Blake , accompanying

#970029