9/13/2014
Landmark information
- Location:
Courtyard of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 350 E Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin - Plaque:
Other Plaque - Site:
Nothing Remains - Date First Visited:
10/7/1996 - Date Most Recently Visited:
9/13/2014 - GPS Coordinates:
N 35 12.519, W 118 49.279
About this landmark
Plaque text:
Francisco Garces O.F.M.
Padre Garces, first recorded white man in this locality, came in April of 1776, seeking a new route from Mexico to California. This epic journey covered more than 2,000 miles of uncharted desert and wilderness, opening trails later to become highways and railroads.