KERNVILLE - With Lake Isabella's water level at about 12 percent of capacity, a glimpse of the Kern River Valley's history is exposed.
Kern River Valley Historical Society President Tom McKinney said, "They had bars and churches and lots of folks that lived there."
The town was once a backdrop for Hollywood movies and home to the community of Old Kernville.
"You could see the saloons and the rails to park your horses on and tie your horse up to, and it was a typical western town," said McKinney.
When plans moved forward for construction of the Isabella Dam in 1948, the communities of Lake Isabella and Old Kernville relocated.
McKinney said, "Lake Isabella, some of it went below the dam and some of it went to Mount Mesa. Kernville went to Wofford Heights. It used to be called Sage Flats."
Although you have to use a little imagination to picture what it used to look like, the remnants are the foundation for what Kernville is today.
"The historical value will never go away and we're excited about that part, that we can share and not only be able to see those foundations but have that information right here at the museum so that they can take a look at what it was and what it is now," said McKinney.
It's been 60 years since the dam was completed, submerging the town of Old Kernville, but memories live on.
If you want to learn more about the historical site, you can visit the Kern River Valley Historical Society on Big Blue Road in Kernville.
Kern River Valley Historical Society President Tom McKinney said, "They had bars and churches and lots of folks that lived there."
The town was once a backdrop for Hollywood movies and home to the community of Old Kernville.
"You could see the saloons and the rails to park your horses on and tie your horse up to, and it was a typical western town," said McKinney.
When plans moved forward for construction of the Isabella Dam in 1948, the communities of Lake Isabella and Old Kernville relocated.
McKinney said, "Lake Isabella, some of it went below the dam and some of it went to Mount Mesa. Kernville went to Wofford Heights. It used to be called Sage Flats."
Although you have to use a little imagination to picture what it used to look like, the remnants are the foundation for what Kernville is today.
"The historical value will never go away and we're excited about that part, that we can share and not only be able to see those foundations but have that information right here at the museum so that they can take a look at what it was and what it is now," said McKinney.
It's been 60 years since the dam was completed, submerging the town of Old Kernville, but memories live on.
If you want to learn more about the historical site, you can visit the Kern River Valley Historical Society on Big Blue Road in Kernville.