Gordon's Ferry
Encyclopedia
Gordon's Ferry is both a geographical location and a historic site
in Bakersfield
, California
. It is located where China Grade Loop crosses the Kern River
and meets with Alfred Harrell Highway in Northeast Bakersfield
. It is named after a ferry that used to cross the river near the existing bridge. It was one of the only eastern crossings, until 1877, when the Jewett Avenue bridge was constructed further west. It is a California Historical Landmark #137.
, when he explored the region in 1776. Graces crossed at that location because most of the land to the west (what is today the City of Bakersfield) was marsh land. Fremont, the second explorer to the region would also cross there.
The 49ers on their way to the Gold Fields, used this place as a crossing. In 1853, as the Kern River Gold Rush began, Major Aneas Gordon would begin operating a ferry at the crossing. It was an overhead cable type, with a flat bottom boat. With a growing number of settlers coming to the region, the ferry would experience a lot of traffic. In 1857, the Butterfield Overland Mail
was established and used the ferry on its San Francisco to Saint Louis route. The stage company would establish a station at that location (one of six in Kern County) which was called the Kern River Station.
Butterfield Overland Mail continued to use the ferry until the outbreak of the American Civil War
in 1861. Because the original route crossed into the Confederacy
, the U. S. Postmaster directed Butterfield to change to the Central Overland Route
. Kern River Station would continue to be used by other stagecoach companies until the railroad made them obsolete. The ferry, would continue to be used by settlers and residents until 1877, when the Jewett Avenue bridge was constructed to the west.
As a river crossing, Gordon's Ferry sat empty for many years. However, oil was discovered in the Kern River Oil Field
in 1899 (the first oil discovery in Kern County). The oilfield was just north of Gordon's Ferry. Oil was hauled out by trains, which were located in Sumner
and Bakersfield
, which is south of the river. As a result, in 1901 a wooden bridge was constructed at the previous ferry crossing. It would later be replaced with the concrete bridge which exist today. In 1937, the site would be declared California Historical Landmark. It would be the first historical landmark declared in Kern County
.
Historic site
A historic site is an official location where pieces of political, military or social history have been preserved. Historic sites are usually protected by law, and many have recognized with the official national historic site status...
in Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is located where China Grade Loop crosses the Kern River
Kern River
The Kern River is a river in the U.S. state of California, approximately long. It drains an area of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains northeast of Bakersfield. Fed by snowmelt near Mount Whitney, the river passes through scenic canyons in the mountains and is a popular destination for...
and meets with Alfred Harrell Highway in Northeast Bakersfield
Northeast Bakersfield
Northeast Bakersfield is the northeast region of Bakersfield, California. Starting south and traveling clockwise, it is roughly bounded by East Brundage Ld, Mt. Vernon Ave, Columbus Ave, Union Ave, and the Kern River. Other boundaries are the city limits.-Overview:Growth in the northeast started...
. It is named after a ferry that used to cross the river near the existing bridge. It was one of the only eastern crossings, until 1877, when the Jewett Avenue bridge was constructed further west. It is a California Historical Landmark #137.
History
The first European to use the crossing was Father Francisco GarcesFrancisco Garcés
Francisco Hermenegildo Tomás Garcés was a Spanish Franciscan missionary who explored much of the southwestern part of North America, including what are now Arizona, southern California, and northeastern Baja California. Garcés was born April 12, 1738, in Morata de Jalón , Zaragoza province,...
, when he explored the region in 1776. Graces crossed at that location because most of the land to the west (what is today the City of Bakersfield) was marsh land. Fremont, the second explorer to the region would also cross there.
The 49ers on their way to the Gold Fields, used this place as a crossing. In 1853, as the Kern River Gold Rush began, Major Aneas Gordon would begin operating a ferry at the crossing. It was an overhead cable type, with a flat bottom boat. With a growing number of settlers coming to the region, the ferry would experience a lot of traffic. In 1857, the Butterfield Overland Mail
Butterfield Overland Mail
The Butterfield Overland Mail Trail was a stagecoach route in the United States, operating from 1857 to 1861. It was a conduit for the U.S. mail from two eastern termini, Memphis, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri, meeting Fort Smith, Arkansas, and continuing through Indian Territory, New Mexico,...
was established and used the ferry on its San Francisco to Saint Louis route. The stage company would establish a station at that location (one of six in Kern County) which was called the Kern River Station.
Butterfield Overland Mail continued to use the ferry until the outbreak of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in 1861. Because the original route crossed into the Confederacy
Confederacy
Confederacy may refer to:A Confederation, an association of sovereign states or communities. Examples include:* Confederate States of America, eleven southern states of the United States of America between 1861 and 1865...
, the U. S. Postmaster directed Butterfield to change to the Central Overland Route
Central Overland Route
The Central Overland Route was a transportation route from Salt Lake City, Utah south of the Great Salt Lake through the mountains of central Nevada and the Basin and Range Province to Carson City, Nevada...
. Kern River Station would continue to be used by other stagecoach companies until the railroad made them obsolete. The ferry, would continue to be used by settlers and residents until 1877, when the Jewett Avenue bridge was constructed to the west.
As a river crossing, Gordon's Ferry sat empty for many years. However, oil was discovered in the Kern River Oil Field
Kern River Oil Field
The Kern River Oil Field is a large oil field in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California, north-northeast of Bakersfield in the lower Sierra foothills...
in 1899 (the first oil discovery in Kern County). The oilfield was just north of Gordon's Ferry. Oil was hauled out by trains, which were located in Sumner
East Bakersfield
East Bakersfield is a region in Bakersfield, California directly east of downtown. The region was the former town of Sumner, which was later incorporated and renamed Kern City. It is primarily a mixture of residential and commercial developments...
and Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, which is south of the river. As a result, in 1901 a wooden bridge was constructed at the previous ferry crossing. It would later be replaced with the concrete bridge which exist today. In 1937, the site would be declared California Historical Landmark. It would be the first historical landmark declared in Kern County
Kern County, California
Spreading across the southern end of the California Central Valley, Kern County is the fifth-largest county by population in California. Its economy is heavily linked to agriculture and to petroleum extraction, and there is a strong aviation and space presence. Politically, it has generally...
.