Cuddy Valley, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cuddy Valley |
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Cuddy Valley
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 Location in California
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| Location | Kern County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°49′27″N 119°01′23″W / 34.82417°N 119.02306°W |
| Range | Transverse Ranges |
| Formed by | San Andreas Fault |
| Geology | Valley |
Cuddy Valley is a beautiful valley located in Kern County, California. It is part of the San Andreas Fault area, which is a very long crack in the Earth's crust. The valley sits south of the San Emigdio Mountains.
Cuddy Valley is also west of Tejon Pass. It is considered part of the "Mountain Communities" in this region. The valley is quite high up, at about 5,282 feet (1,610 meters) above sea level.
History of Cuddy Valley
Long ago, Cuddy Valley was an important stop for travelers. It offered fresh water and good places for animals to graze. This area was part of an old road called El Camino Viejo. This road was used in the 1700s and 1800s.
The old road came over what is now Tejon Pass. It then turned west, following Cuddy Creek into Cuddy Valley. There was a natural spring in the valley, providing water. After leaving the valley, the road went north through the San Emigdio Mountains. It followed San Emigdio Canyon and Creek.
This path led to the San Joaquin Valley. At the end of the mountains, near the creek's mouth, was another important stop. This spot later became a Mexican land grant in 1842, known as Rancho San Emidio.
Who Was John Fletcher Cuddy?
Cuddy Valley, along with Cuddy Creek and Cuddy Canyon, are all named after a man named John Fletcher Cuddy. He came to the United States from Ireland. He arrived during a time when many people were leaving Ireland due to a big famine.
John Cuddy joined the United States Army. After leaving the army in 1853, he worked as a civilian teamster. This meant he drove wagons for the army. He followed his old army unit, the 1st Dragoon Regiment, to Fort Tejon in 1854.
At Fort Tejon, John Cuddy became the herdsman. His job was to take care of the fort's animals. He discovered a meadow in a valley a few miles west of the fort. This meadow was perfect for grazing the fort's livestock.
Cuddy eventually built a log cabin in this small valley. It was southwest of where Lake of the Woods is today. He claimed land there and raised cattle. This area became known as Cuddy's Valley. Later, it was called Little Cuddy Valley.
John Cuddy married Margaret Gale in 1858. By 1861, they moved into a bigger log cabin. This cabin still stands today, west of Lake of the Woods. The Cuddy family's ranch grew over time. John's children also claimed nearby land. Their land eventually included most of the area. It stretched southwest into Lockwood Valley. It also went west into what is now Cuddy Valley. To the east, it reached the present-day Interstate 5 highway.
