Shale, California facts for kids

Shale was once a small community, or a "settlement," located in Kern County, California. It was a place where people lived and worked for a time, but it is no longer an active town today.

What Was Shale?

Shale was a former settlement. This means it was a place where people lived and built homes and businesses, but it eventually became empty or abandoned. Many small settlements like Shale grew up around important features, such as railroads or mines.

Where Was Shale Located?

Shale was situated in the large area of Kern County, California. It was found about 1 mile (or 1.6 kilometers) northwest of another place called Vernette. Its location was important because it was right next to a railroad. Railroads were like the highways of the past, helping people and goods travel across the country.

The Post Office at Shale

One important part of the Shale community was its post office. A post office is where people send and receive letters and packages. The post office in Shale was open for 11 years, from 1912 to 1923. Having a post office usually meant that enough people lived in the area to need this service. When the post office closed, it often meant that fewer people were living there, or the community was shrinking.