Kingston, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingston
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Former settlement
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  Kings |
| Reference #: | 270 |
Kingston was once a small town in California. It was first part of Fresno County. Later, in 1909, its area became part of Kings County.
Kingston was located on the south side of the Kings River. It was about 8.5 miles (13.7 km) northwest of Hanford. The town grew up around a place called Whitmore's Ferry.
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The Start of Kingston
Kingston began in 1854 when L. A. Whitmore started a ferry. A ferry is a boat that carries people and goods across a river. This ferry helped people cross the Kings River.
The town of Kingston officially started in 1856. It was built where an old Spanish road crossed the river. This road was called El Camino Viejo á Los Angeles. This means "The Old Road to Los Angeles."
A Busy Travel Stop
Kingston became an important stop for travelers. From 1858 to 1861, it was a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail route. This was a famous stagecoach service that delivered mail and passengers.
After 1858, Kingston was also a stop on a stagecoach route. This route connected Stockton and Visalia.
Early Services
Kingston had its own post office for many years. It operated from 1859 to 1862, and again from 1866 to 1890. After that, the mail service moved to a nearby town called Lillis.
For a long time, Kingston had the only store between Millerton and Visalia. This made it a key place for people to buy supplies. The first school in the area was also in Kingston, starting around 1860.
Ferry and Bridge Changes
After L. A. Whitmore, Oliver H. Bliss took over the Kingston ferry in 1859. In 1872, Bliss built a temporary toll bridge. A toll bridge is one where you pay a fee to cross. This bridge was made with two boats and wooden planks.
In 1873, John Sutherland bought the ferry and bridge from Bliss. That same year, Sutherland built a stronger, permanent bridge.
The Town's Decline
On December 26, 1873, a bandit named Tiburcio Vásquez and his group raided Kingston. They tied up many men and took a lot of money and goods. This event was a big blow to the small town.
After the raid, Kingston began to shrink. By the 1890s, most people had left, and the town was abandoned. The last building left was Oliver Bliss's livery stable. A livery stable was a place where horses were kept and rented out. This stable stood until 1930.
Kingston Today
Today, the place where Kingston once stood is a special historical site. It is a California Historical Landmark (number 270). You can find it in Kingston-Laton County Park in Kings County.
