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| Landmark #741 | Kern County | Visited: January 21, 2013 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque by the railroad tracks! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Edward Fitzgerald Beale, serving under Commodore Stockton in 1846, established his home here on Rancho le Libre in 1855. He also engaged in mining and became Superintendent of Indian Affairs for California and Nevada, and Minister to Vienna.
OTHER TIDBITS: Having risen to the rank of Sailing Master in the U.S. Navy, “Ned” Beale arrived in California on July 20, 1846 and was assigned to the land forces during the Mexican-American War! On December 6, he snuck past Californio troops with Kit Carson during the bloody Battle of San Pasqual and brought in enough backup troops to save the forces of Stephen Kearny! Very skilled at sneaking, Mr. Beale also snuck through Mexican territory in disguise to bring the U.S. government news of the gold discovery in California! After resigning from the Navy in 1851, now Lieutenant Beale was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs for California and Nevada. With this title, he pushed for the creation of Fort Tejón and negotiated a number of peace treaties with California’s tribes! Also a trailblazer, he surveyed overland routes for the Transcontinental Railroad and a wagon road from Fort Defiance, New Mexico to the Colorado River using experimental camels from Africa! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: On Bealville Rd 0.9 mi N of State Hwy 58 1.3 mi S of Caliente, CA 93531 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~118mi (190km) — 2hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |