Alphonse Weill Residence

Historical marker location:

1631 17th Street, Bakersfield, California

( Marker is at the intersection of 17th Street and H Street, on the left when traveling west on 17th Street.)

Marker installed: 1980

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.