Kernville, California, Kern County, is a fascinating ghost town that once thrived in the California Gold Rush era. Nestled in the scenic Sierra Nevada mountains, this town has a rich history that captures the imagination of visitors. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Kern County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 35.7541° N, 118.4251° W
Elevation: Approximately 2,600 feet (792 meters)
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
Established: 1858
Disestablished: The original town site was submerged in 1954
Comments: Kernville, originally known as Whiskey Flat, was founded as a gold mining camp in 1858. It quickly gained notoriety during the Gold Rush for its abundant resources and lively atmosphere. The town was later renamed Kernville in honor of Edward M. Kern, a topographer for John C. Frémont’s expedition.
Kernville is a census-designated place (CDP) in the southern Sierra Nevada, in Kern County, California, United States. Kernville is located 42 miles (68 km) northeast of Bakersfield, at an elevation of 2,667 ft (813 m). The Kern River was named after artist and topographer Edward Kern, who accompanied John C. Fremont on his 1845 expedition.
They camped at a fork of two rivers, now the middle of Lake Isabella. An 1858 gold rush led to the formation of a town briefly called Rogersville, then Williamsburg. In 1863, after a bar opened, Whiskey Flat was renamed Whiskey Flat. In 1864, the town was renamed Kernville.
Remains: Kernville’s original site no longer exists, as it was submerged under the Isabella Reservoir following the construction of the Isabella Dam in 1953. However, the town was relocated to higher ground nearby, where some original buildings and structures were moved to preserve its historic legacy.
The Isabella Dam project began in 1948 after decades of planning. As a result, Kernville and certain historic buildings were relocated upstream to their present location at the tip of the northeast fork of the man-made lake. Downtown visibly retains Kernville’s gold rush and Old West roots, attracting tourists along with the area’s natural scenery and outdoor activities.
The town’s original location is slightly east of Wofford Heights. Foundations and other remnants can still be seen when the lake is low. The famous Mountain Inn, built mainly to house movie stars and crew before the 1948 move, is now (partially) at the new Kernville, renamed the River View Lodge.
Current Status: The modern-day Kernville is a small community known for its outdoor recreational activities, such as white-water rafting, fishing, and hiking. It is a gateway to the Sequoia National Forest and maintains a charming connection to its historic roots.
Remarks: While the original Kernville is now underwater, the town’s spirit lives on in its relocated form. The area’s natural beauty and historical significance continue to attract visitors and history enthusiasts. The Kern Valley Museum provides a glimpse into the town’s vibrant past, showcasing artifacts and stories from its heyday during the Gold Rush.
Even with its annual summer influx of tourists, Kernville remains one of early California’s most quaint, conservative relics. Many local families trace their lineage to original 19th-century homesteaders, and the area’s newspaper, The Kern River Courier, is delivered weekly by a horse-drawn carriage. The post office, established at the original site in 1868, was moved to the new site in 1951.
