Ben Hulse Highway

Historical marker location:

Winterhaven, California

( Marker is on Ben Hulse Highway (State Highway 78) 38 miles north of Interstate 8, on the left when traveling north.)

Dedicated for Public Use. March 21, 1964.

The state's name is derived from a novel called "Las Sergas de Esplandián," which was published in 1510. The book, written by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo, tells the story of a mythical island called California that is ruled by Queen Calafia and is said to be filled with gold and precious stones.