FREEMAN JUNCTION

NAME: Freeman Junction
COUNTY: Kern County
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 1
CLIMATE: Nice temperatures all year.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: All year; elevation is 3,200 feet.
COMMENTS: The State of California (July, 1973) lists no current residents.There is a State Historical Marker atthe intersection of SH 178 and 14, (Walker Pass) honoring Joseph R. Walker, who first crossed the pass in 1834. Edward M. Kern, after whom the River and County were named, traversed the area with the FremontExpedition of 1845, after which the pass became a freight route to theOwens Valley.
REMAINS: Essentially a site only, though some fine rubble remains.
Freeman Junction was firsthomesteaded in the 1920's by ClareC. Miley, who was born in 1900. It is presumed the name derived from the Fremont Expeditionof the previous century. By the 1930'sa restaurant, gas station and miningactivities (the latter of questionablevalue) dominated the site, which isat the southwest quadrant of theeastern terminous of the Walker Pass.It is not known if a post office wasever opened; however, some documentationexists to indicate one was planned inthe early 1950's. Photos were taken in June, 1976,after the final residents had departed.Due to its prominant location, thefinal vestiges of the town slippedaway quickly at the hands of passersby. Submitted by: Jason Houston


Freeman Junction
Courtesy Jason Houston


Freeman Junction
Courtesy Jason Houston

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