Tehachapi in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Died at Age 112 on August 7, 1936
— Last Known Member of the Joaquin Murrieta Horse Gangs —
So why do we take the time and expense to recognize such a character? Research tells us that Avelino came to California from Sonora, Mexico, searching for his father at the age of 13. A little while later he met a group of “ladrones” (robbers). This was at the time when Alta California was looking to statehood and was being annexed from Mexico. The Mexicanos looked upon these ladrones as revolutionists / heroes.
Avelino joined the group, thus becoming the hostler (horse groom), sometimes cook, and most times go-fer for Joaquin Valenzuela, one of Joaquin Murrieta’s horse gang lieutenants.
After Joaquin Murrieta was reportedly killed by the California Rangers July 25, 1853 at Cantua Canyon (Fresno County),
When he died at the age of 112, one story says Buddy Cummings paid a local “town drinker”, Okey Dokey, two bottles of wine to bury Avelino. Another version says Buddy paid two of his ranch hands a bottle of wine to bury him at the Catholic Cemetery (now Westside Cemetery). Neither had ever dug a grave before, dug it three feet wide, six feet long, and six feet deep. There was just one peculiarity, the grave was oriented north-south, as opposed to east-west as all the other plots. To this day, Avelino Martinez is the only person buried in the cemetery north-south.
Erected 2016 by Peter LeBeck Chapter 1866, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites Hispanic Americans • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 25, 1853.
Location. 35° 7.99′ N, 118° 24.894′ W. Marker is in Tehachapi, California, in Kern County. Marker is on Burnett Road. Marker is located at the Eastside Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1201 Burnett Road, Tehachapi CA 93561, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. T-Hacha-P Brand Mural (approx. 1.6 miles away); Former Richfield Service Station (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Muro House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Arrastra at Railroad Park (approx. 1.7 miles away); 1915 Street Dance Mural (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Legend of Avelino Martinez (approx. 1.8 miles away); Tehachapi Pass (approx. 1.8 miles away); Site of the Kessing Building (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tehachapi.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2016, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 18, 2016. 2, 3. submitted on February 24, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 18, 2016. 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 27, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California.