Kern River Slough, California facts for kids

Kern River Slough was once a small community or "settlement" in Kern County, California. It's no longer a town today, which is why it's called a "former settlement."

This place was located right by the Kern River Slough. A "slough" is a slow-moving channel of water, often connected to a larger river. The Kern River Slough was a branch of the main Kern River. You could find this spot in the San Joaquin Valley, about 3 miles (5 km) west of a town called Lamont.

Kern River Slough Station: A Historic Stagecoach Stop

The Kern River Slough Station was a very important stop for stagecoaches many years ago. From 1858 to 1861, it was part of the famous Butterfield Overland Mail 1st Division route.

What Was the Butterfield Overland Mail?

The Butterfield Overland Mail was a special mail and passenger service that ran from 1857 to 1861. It helped people and letters travel across the country before trains were common. The route stretched all the way from St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco, California. Imagine traveling across the country in a horse-drawn stagecoach! It was a long and sometimes difficult journey.

A California Historical Landmark

Today, the site of the Butterfield Overland Mail station at Kern River Slough is recognized as California Historical Landmark #588. This means it's a place of historical importance in California.

The official landmark sign tells us:

• NO. 588 KERN RIVER SLOUGH STATION
• Just south of this spot was the Kern River Slough Station.
• It was a stop on the Butterfield Overland Stage route.
• This famous mail line operated through what is now Kern County from 1858 to 1861.
• The service ran from St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco.
• It stopped when the Civil War began.

This landmark helps us remember the history of travel and communication in California during the 1800s.