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| Landmark #277 | Kern County | Visited: January 26, 2013 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
| What is it? | A statue of Father Francisco Garcés in the middle of a traffic roundabout! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: This is the approximate site of the Indian rancheria visited by Franciscan friar Padre Francisco Garcés on May 7, 1776. Padre Garcés named this spot San Miguel de los Noches por el Santa Príncipe.
OTHER TIDBITS: Father Garcés was a wanderer in stages! Stationed at the Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson, he set out five times to the west. His 1771 expedition, which took him through the desert and into Alta California, inspired Juan Bautista de Anza to attempt his first overland journey in 1774! The trip that brought Father Garcés into the home of the Yokuts, now Bakersfield, took place in 1776 and stopped just short of Mission San Luis Obispo! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Center intersection of Chester Ave and 30th St Bakersfield, CA 93301 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~116mi (187km) — 2hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |