Josephine Stephens Bishop
Posted by: 
fresgo
N 35° 18.048 W 118° 00.110
11S E 408915 N 3906861
Located on Jawbone Canyon Road at the Jawbone Canyon Information Center just off US 395.
Waymark Code: WMB63A
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/09/2011
Views: 8
This marker was placed by three Clamper groups -Peter Lebeck Chapter 1866 - Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 - Slim Princess Chapter 395. The marker also designates the site as a California Point of Historical Interest, not the same as a California Historical Landmark.
The Plaque Reads:
Josephine Stephens Bishop
"Josie" was born on June 18, 1875 in Silver City, New Mexico to Harvey and Harriet Whitehill. At 19 years old, she taught school in Pinos Altos, New Mexico. She married Herbert Hall Bishop on March 4, 1896, bearing him seven children. The Bishops moved around the country for several years, finally separating in 1920. While living in Long Beach, Josie began her short acting career and mined this area for gold and silver. Alter acquiring numerous claims, Josie, finally hit pay dirt in 1937 by discovering the richest Radium deposit known at the time. The media gave her the name, "Radium Queen of the Desert” and Josie’s fame spread worldwide. As a representative of Kern County and the mining industry, she toured the nation, appearing on various radio shows and in many, publications. The only wealth she ever got from her big strike was fifty dollars. Josie Bishop died in an auto accident on July 12, 1951. She is buried at her claim, approximately five miles north of this spot.
California Point of Historical Interest KER-010
Dedicated October 11, 1998 by the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, Peter Lebeck Chapter 1866, Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069. Slim Princess Chapter 395