History of Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city located on the Kern River. It stretches about 142 square miles near the Central Valley region and the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. It is the 9th most populous city in the country with its approximately 380,000 inhabitants.
Bakersfield is a center for oil and agricultural activities. Kern County is the fourth most productive oil-producing county and the most productive oil-producing county in the nation. The city is also where country music popularly known as Bakersfield sound originated.
Bakersfield is a center for oil and agricultural activities. Kern County is the fourth most productive oil-producing county and the most productive oil-producing county in the nation. The city is also where country music popularly known as Bakersfield sound originated.
Early History
Presence of Native American settlements was proven by some archaeological evidence. The Yokuts resided in lodges along the roads of the Kern River Delta and survived through hunting deer, bear, antelope, and tule elk. Spanish missionary Father Francisco Garces was the first European to travel through the area. The Yokuts continued to live remotely until after the Mexican War of Independence. Mexican settlers started to resettle in the area. Settlers crowded the San Joaquin Valley after gold was discovered in 1848 in California. Gold was discovered alongside the Kern River in 1851. Oil was uncovered in the valley in 1865. The city experiences regular flooding coming from the Kern River.
Bakersfield continued to develop as a city as the Gold Rush sustained. However, gold became less frequent in the hills and river which led for the residents to develop a variety of industries to maintain the town's diversity. Farmers in Bakersfield inaugurated the Kern River irrigation system that helped in the development of grain farming, alfalfa, and water meant for the livestock.
Bakersfield continued to develop as a city as the Gold Rush sustained. However, gold became less frequent in the hills and river which led for the residents to develop a variety of industries to maintain the town's diversity. Farmers in Bakersfield inaugurated the Kern River irrigation system that helped in the development of grain farming, alfalfa, and water meant for the livestock.
Founding
The original settlement that was established in 1860 was swept off in catastrophic floods in 1862. Thomas Baker was one of the many that were attracted by the discovery of gold in the area. Baker relocated to the Kern River in 1863, which was later known as Baker's Field. It later became a stopover for travelers. With a total population of 600, Bakersfield became the main town in Kern County in 1870. Bakersfield officially became a city in 1873 to replace the declining town of Havilah as the county seat. The town had a population of 801 by the year 1880. Population continues to increase and by 1890, the population reached 2,626. Migrants from Louisiana, Texas, Southern California, and Oklahoma added to their population.
The Kern County Earthquake
An earthquake hit the Kern County on July 21, 1952. The earthquake that had a magnitude of 7.5 ruined the neighboring communities of Tehachapi and Arvin. The earthquake was so destructive that it bent cotton fields into U shapes, created a flash flood by collapsing a water tower, and annihilated railroad tunnels. Bakersfield luckily did not suffer from much loss, experiencing minor damages.
An aftershock occurred on July 29 and caused minor damages to architectural structures. Residents feared that the flow of the Friant-Kern Canal can be changed that would in turn flood the city and the neighboring areas. On August 22, four people died as an aftershock hit Bakersfield again. Some historic establishments in the city also incurred heavy damage.
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An aftershock occurred on July 29 and caused minor damages to architectural structures. Residents feared that the flow of the Friant-Kern Canal can be changed that would in turn flood the city and the neighboring areas. On August 22, four people died as an aftershock hit Bakersfield again. Some historic establishments in the city also incurred heavy damage.
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