From its origins in the High Sierra, all the way to the Tulare Lake, the Kings River is one of the defining features of the landscape of the Central Valley. Today on KVPR’s Central Valley Roots, we explore its history, and its many names. It was early January 1805 and Spanish Lieutenant Gabriel Moraga was leading an expedition through the east side of the San Joaquin Valley. When his party came across a great river they camped for the night. The next day January 6th was the day Catholics call Epiphany. It’s the holiday which celebrates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. Moraga named this river in their honor – El Rio de los Santos Reyes – or the River of the Holy Kings.