Keyesville (formerly, Keysville[1] and Hogeye[2]) is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California.[1] It is located 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Lake Isabella and the Kern River Valley, at an elevation of 2,848 feet (868 m).[1] Keyesville, founded in 1854 is named for Richard M. Keyes, whose discovery of gold in 1853 started the Kern River Gold Rush.[1]

Keyesville
Unincorporated community
Keyesville Location in California
Coordinates: 35°37′33″N 118°30′39″W
Country	United States
State	California
County	Kern County
Elevation [1]	2,848 ft (868 m)
California Historical Landmark
Reference no.	98

History

Keyesville townsite has been privately held since the 1890's. Gold was discovered here in 1853 and the town became a gold hub of Southern California. Still located on the site are the original Post Office, Gold Assayer's office, Merchantile Building, Blacksmith Shop, and one of the brothels. A petition to the commander of Camp Babbitt about the depredations of the local Native Americans led to the Keyesville Massacre nearby on 19 April 1863. The community is registered as California Historical Landmark #98.[3]

Natural history

Keyesville lies in the lower elevation Greenhorn Mountains. There are scattered trees and brushy chaparral slopes surrounding it.[4] A number of wildflowers are in evidence in this part of the Greenhorn Mountains, including the yellow mariposa lily, Calochortus luteus, which species is at the southern limit of its range within the Greenhorn Mountains.[5]

California Historical Landmark

The California Historical Landmark reads:

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.[6][7]

See also

• California Historical Landmarks in Kern County
• California Historical Landmark

References

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