Bakersfield, California


Bakersfield is located in the south-central part and is the 9th largest city in the U.S. State of California. It is a major agricultural center, and a oil-producing area. Known as the Oil Capital of California.

In country music, the city is famous for the Bakersfield Sound. The sound was developed at dance halls of Bakersfield in the 50s. The sound is created with electric guitars, like Fender Telecaster, a locomotive-like feel, and with a honky-tonk style. Buck Owens was a central figure in this style of country music.



To See And To Do In Bakersfield


  • Central Park Antique Mall
  • Kern County Museum
  • Fox Theater
  • Cricklewood Secret Garden
  • McMurtry Aquatic Center
  • California Living Museum
  • Bakersfield Kern County Brewery Trail
  • Buena Vista Museum of Natural History
  • Murray Family Farms
  • Bakersfield Museum of Art
  • Kern County Raceway Park
  • Wind Wolves Preserve
  • The Dignity Health Arena
  • The Park at River Walk


History Of Bakersfield - Timeline


Long before the first Europeans came, the native Yowlumne people lived there, hunting and fishing in what later became Bakersfield. In 1772, Don Pedro Fages was the first recorded European to visit the area. In 1776, Spanish missionary Francisco Garcés explore the area. He visited Rancheria San Miguel (San Miguel de los Noches), a Native American settlement located where Bakersfield now stands.

In 1840, a few Mexican settlers and their families were established in the area. In 1858, Thomas Fitzgerald built the Glennville Adobe a couple of miles north of Bakersfield. It is considered the oldest residence in Kern County. It served as a trading post.

In 1860, the German immigrant Christian Bohna, and a handfull of people, built log cabins and farms in what is now downtown. The settlement did not last very long due to major floods and outbreaks of malaria.

In 1863, Thomas Baker and his family, and Harvey Brown, fenced a ten-acre plot and established a farm. They built houses, and canals. The layed out streets and sold land for development. Baker hired local Indians to help him on his alfalfa field, which eventually became known as Baker's Field. It became a well-known stopover for travelers, providing food and fodder for their livestock.

In 1865, oil was discovered in the area. In 1866, the brothers Julius and George Chester opened a general supply store in todays downtown. George Chester was the first postmaster in town, and he was the first telegraph operator. Besides the general store, he established a ferry service, a stagecoach, and a sawmill.

In 1869, the town was formally laid out by Thomas Baker with the help from Julius Chester. In 1871, Horatio P. Livermore and William Muehe built the Kern River Flour Mills. In 1872, the Weekly Courier newspaper moved to the town. The Union Cemetery was established. In 1873, Bakersfield was incorporated as a city.

In 1874, a church building was erected, and the original county courthouse opened. In 1875, the first county hospital in Bakersfield opened. In 1877, the Jastro House was built by Henry Jastro. He was an influential Jewish man, cattleman, and civic leader in the city. A fire service was established. In 1882, the Alphonse Weill Residence was built. Alphonse Weill was a owner and incorporator of the Jewett Oil Company.

In 1888, an electric streetcar system operated between Bakersfield, Santa Fe and Sumner. In 1890, the original construction of the Spencer House was completed. In 1892, the Kern County High School was established. In 1893, the Kern County High School opened and classes began. The Hay Building was built in downtown as the Dinkelspiel General Store.

In 1896, the opera singer Lawrence Tibbett was born in the city. He was also a film actor and radio personality. In 1898, the Police Department was formed. In 1899, oil was discovery when Roe Elwood, Frank Wiseman, and others hand-dug a well on Thomas Means' property. That transformed Bakersfield into an oil powerhouse. The Bakersfield Santa Fe Station was constructed.

In 1900, there were 4,836 people living in the city. In 1903, the Frank Munzer House was built. He was a superintendent of the Kern County Land Company and the owner of the Breckenridge Lodge. In 1904, the Beale Memorial Clock Tower was built. The Hayden Building was built and opened as the Hayden Furniture Company. In 1907, the Bakersfield Californian newspaper was published. In 1908, the Guild House was build.

In 1921, Central Park in downtown was created. In 1924, the Merle Haggard Post Office Building was built. In 1928, the Kern County Chamber of Commerce Building was completed. The Curran House was built. James Curran was the founder of Sandstone Brick. The Padre Hotel was completed. In 1930, the Fox Theater opened. In 1932, the First Baptist Church was completed.

In 1933, the B.H.S. Water Tower was built. In 1941, the Kern County Museum was founded. In 1952, an earthquake heavily damaged the downtown area. In 1953, the world-famous jazz pianist, composer and producer, David Benoit, was born in the city. In 1954, the City Hall was built. In 1955, the Memorial Stadium opened.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy visited Bakersfield, campaigned and gave remarks about the state's importance. In 1962, Bakersfield News Bulletin began its publication. In 1983, the zoo, California Living Museum, opened. In 1993, the nu metal band, Korn, was formed. In 1996, the Buck Owens Crystal Palace music hall opened. (Closed in 2025).

In 1998, the Dignity Health Arena opened. In 2006, the Park at River Walk opened. In 2013, the Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway opened. In 2025, there were 420,530 people living in the city.