Tag Archives: Kern River Valley
Slippery Rock Petroglyphs (Lake Isabella, CA / Kern River)
Most rock art in the Kern River Valley is believed to have come from the Tubatulabal and Kawaiisu tribes that have lived in this valley for well over 1,000 years. The petroglyphs represented here are said to be much older than other rock art in thearea. This is based on the atlatl designs present, they likely predate both the Tubatulabal and Kawaiisu. The atlatl was a spear like weapon that was used for hunting before the introduction of the traditional bow and arrow.
More than likely this area was used as a fishing location, and the atlatl designs present here may be a type of “hunting magic”. It is widely believed by archaeologist that petroglyph designs depicting weapons or animals had been created before a great hunt (or in this case a “great fish”) to bring a sort of “good luck”. As with any rock art these modern theories are only that, theories. The true meaning behind any design has been lost over many years. Enjoy this site and any other for what it is, and come up with your own conclusions.
Due to the sensitive nature of these sites locations are no longer available via the website. If you are interested in visiting this or any other sensitive sites I recommend that you utilize my guide service.
Close up of the atlatl designs on the boulder pictured above.
This petroglyph is located inside one of the hundreds of natural water-worn scour holes.
If you look closely you can see lines of small dots that had been chipped into this rock.
A. Brown Flour Mill & Ranch
The A. Brown Flour Mill & Ranch is located in Weldon, CA along route 178 between Highway 395, and Lake Isabella. From Highway 395 follow route 178 for approximately 31 miles, the ranch will be located on your right hand side. From the Lake Isabella Blvd. route 178 entrance follow route 178 for approximately 11.25 miles, the ranch will be located on your left just as you are entering the town of Weldon.
The mill as seen from Route 178.
The A. Brown Flour Mill is the oldest building standing in the Kern River Valley, it was built in the mid-1850′s by the Irish emigrant Andrew Brown. Brown was born in Ireland in 1829, and arrived in California in 1852. Like many emigrants that ended up in California at the time, Brown headed for the mines in hopes of finding is fortune. It didn’t take Brown long to realize that the money was to be made in selling goods to the miners, not actually mining. Brown opened his first mercantile business in Mariposa county. Some time later Brown moved on to Tulare county, and became a farmer and stock man, but soon moved on yet again, this time to Kernville. Eventually Brown would become owner of a Kernville mercantile, and after successfully operating it, had the opportunity to purchase an additional mercantile and farm in Weldon. Brown’s business steadily grew, which allowed him the finances to purchase additional farms in the area to raise cattle, horses, sheep and hogs.
Brown grew a large amount of wheat on his land, which he had to ship over the mountains to the railroad to have processed. It was because of this that Brown decided to build the mill at the ranch, to save both time and money. Once the mill was completed in September of 1878, he was able to grind the wheat into flour at his own facilities, and resell it in the local trade.
In 1901, Brown incorporated his many businesses as the A. Brown Company. In 1904, he would retire to Los Angeles, still the president of A. Brown Company. On October 12, 1909, Andrew Brown passed away. His wife Alice would see to the company after his death. The company remained in the Brown family until the 1970′s, when the heirs sold to the Kern County Land and Cattle Company.
The Nature Conservancy purchased 1,600 acres of the ranch, including the flour mill in 1979. The mill, and many buildings on the ranch still stand, however they are off-limits for visitation. The Nature Conservancy is now known as the Audubon Kern River Preserve, and is owned by the National Audubon Society.
2013 Guided Tour Option
Books by Death Valley Jim
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Secret Places in the Mojave Desert Vol. III
Analyzing Rock Art of the Mojave Desert Vol. I: Pictographs
Secret Places in the Mojave Desert Vol. 1
Secret Places in the Mojave Desert Vol. II
Rock Art of the Upper Mojave Desert
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