Keyesville, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keyesville
|
|
|---|---|
 Keyesville
Location in California
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Kern County |
| Elevation | 2,848 ft (868 m) |
| Reference #: | 98 |
Keyesville (also known as Keysville and Hogeye) is a small, unincorporated community in Kern County, California. This means it's a community that isn't officially part of a city or town.
It is located about 2 miles west of Lake Isabella and the Kern River Valley. Keyesville sits at an elevation of 2,848 feet (868 meters) above sea level. The community was founded in 1854. It was named after Richard M. Keyes, who found gold there in 1853. His discovery started the exciting Kern River Gold Rush. Today, the Bureau of Land Management owns the land where Keyesville is located.
History of Keyesville
Keyesville has an interesting past, especially linked to the California Gold Rush. From 1853 to 1870, it was a busy center for gold mining. Miners looked for gold in two ways: placer mining (finding gold flakes in streams) and quartz mining (digging for gold in rock veins).
In 1863, a fort was built near Keyesville. This earthworks fort was created to protect the community. You can still see the outlines of this old fort today. Because of its important history, Keyesville is recognized as California Historical Landmark #98.
Nature Around Keyesville
Keyesville is nestled in the lower parts of the Greenhorn Mountains. The area around it has scattered trees and brushy chaparral slopes. Chaparral is a type of shrubland with tough, drought-resistant plants.
This part of the Greenhorn Mountains is also home to many beautiful wildflowers. One special flower you might see is the yellow mariposa lily (Calochortus luteus). This lovely yellow flower is found here at the southern edge of its natural growing area.
California Historical Landmark
Keyesville is officially recognized as a California Historical Landmark. The marker at the site shares this information:
- NO. 98 KEYSVILLE - From 1853 until 1870, Keysville was a center of both placer and quartz gold mining. On the knoll just below the townsite may still be seen the outlines of an earthworks fort, built to meet a possible Indian attack in 1863.
