Gordon's Ferry facts for kids

Gordon's Ferry is a special place in Bakersfield, California. It's a historic spot where the China Grade Loop road crosses the Kern River. This area is named after an old ferry that once carried people and goods across the river. For many years, it was one of the only ways to cross the Kern River in the eastern part of the area. Later, in 1877, a new bridge was built farther west. Today, Gordon's Ferry is recognized as California Historical Landmark #137.

The Story of Gordon's Ferry

This area has a long and interesting history. It started as a simple river crossing and grew into an important stop for travelers.

Early Days and the Gold Rush

Long ago, during the California Gold Rush, many people called "49ers" traveled through this area. They were on their way to find gold. They used this spot to cross the Kern River. In 1853, a local gold rush began in the Kern River area. That's when a man named Major Aneas Gordon started a ferry service here.

His ferry was an "overhead cable" type. This meant a flat-bottom boat was pulled across the river using a cable. Many new settlers were coming to the region, so the ferry was very busy. It was a key part of the Stockton - Los Angeles Road.

The Butterfield Overland Mail Route

In 1857, an important mail service called the Butterfield Overland Mail started. This service delivered mail and passengers across the country. It ran from San Francisco to St. Louis. Gordon's Ferry became one of its official stops. This stop was known as the Kern River Station. It was one of six such stations in Kern County.

The Butterfield Overland Mail used the ferry until 1861. At that time, the American Civil War began. The original mail route went through the Southern states that had left the United States. So, the U.S. postmaster changed the route to a safer one farther north. Other stagecoach companies continued to use Kern River Station for a while. But eventually, trains took over, and stagecoaches became less common. The ferry itself was used by local people until 1877. That's when the Jewett Avenue bridge was built nearby.

Oil Discovery and New Bridges

After the ferry stopped running, Gordon's Ferry was a quiet place for many years. But then, something big happened in 1899. Oil was discovered in the Kern River Oil Field! This was the first oil discovery in Kern County. The oil field was just north of Gordon's Ferry.

Trains were used to carry the oil out of the area. These trains were located in towns like Sumner and Bakersfield, which were south of the river. To help move the oil, a wooden bridge was built at the old ferry crossing in 1901.

Later, a stronger concrete bridge replaced the wooden one. This is the bridge you can see there today. In 1937, Gordon's Ferry was officially named a California Historical Landmark. It was the very first historical landmark in Kern County.

The historical marker at the site says:

NO. 137 GORDON'S FERRY ON THE KERN RIVER - Gordon's Ferry was an overhead cable-type of ferry operated during the 1850s by Major Gordon. An adobe station house was located on the south bank of the Kern River, just a few yards to the west of this marker, which also served as a station on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route from 1856 to 1860. Registered June 6, 1934.

You can find this marker near the Kern River bridge. It's on China Loop, about 1,000 feet south of Round Mountain Road in Bakersfield.