Garlock, California, Kern County is a ghost town with a rich history tied to the California Gold Rush, enticing those interested in the remnants of the past. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Kern County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 35.3950° N, 117.8331° W
Elevation: Approximately 2,169 feet (661 meters)
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
Established: 1893
Disestablished: Approximately early 1900s
Comments: Garlock, originally known as El Paso City, was established due to the discovery of gold in the nearby Rand Mining District. It served as a bustling milling town that processed ore from the mines surrounding Randsburg. At its peak, Garlock was home to several hundred residents, boasting hotels, stores, saloons, and a post office.
Garlock (formerly, Eugeneville) is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California Ghost Townlifornia. It is located 6.25 miles (10 km) east-southeast of Saltdale, at an elevation of 2,169 ft (661 m). A post office operated at Garlock from 1896 to 1904 and from 1923 to 1926.
Remains: Today, visitors to Garlock can explore several remnants of its former glory. Some structures, such as the old mill foundations and a few weathered buildings, still remain silent witnesses to its vibrant past. These remnants offer a tangible connection to the town’s history, attracting history enthusiasts and ghost town explorers alike.
Garlock is a ghost town that was known interchangeably as El Paso City or Cow Wells. The little town provided water for cattlemen and freighters wishing to avoid the potentially treacherous washes in Red Rock Canyon. Some gold had been found in the canyons of the El Paso Mountains, enough to warrant an arrastra being built in 1887.
In 1893, a nugget worth $1,900 was brought in from Goler Heights (a former reference to Goler Canyon is located in Death Valley, NOT off Garlock Rd.), and so the rush began. In 1894, Eugene Garlock of Tehachapi moved into an eight-stamp mill. Miners would talk of going down to “the Garlock mill,” “down to the Garlock,” and finally just “Garlock.”
Current Status: Garlock is considered an abandoned ghost town. Despite its desolation, it is accessible to visitors looking to explore the area and investigate its historical significance.
Remarks: Garlock’s decline began as ore extraction methods and the profitability of nearby mines changed, leading to a rapid depopulation. The town’s remains serve as a tribute to the transient nature of mining towns during the Gold Rush era. Preservation efforts are minimal, and the site remains largely untouched, offering a raw and authentic glimpse into California’s storied past.
