Bakersfield's Sound

There are certain parts of Bakersfield that carry lesser-known histories that borderline on the macabre and curious. Some bear mysteries that have yet to be solved while others were laid to rest years ago...

Overlooking a veritable sea of oil derricks, the hills of Bakersfield were once the holding place of some incredible endurance tests. At least, they were when it came to motorcycle racing—an activity that was engaged in a few times a year in decades past. Some of these famous “hill climbs,” however, were more extreme—and far more exciting—than others...

For well over a century, Kern County has been known as a black goldmine. In our earliest days of drilling, oil made more than just a few people rich—it made our entire community rich in a myriad of ways...

While the United States was facing a Great Depression, two brothers set out to start something great; something of their own. Brothers Oscar and C.L. Tomerlin began building the Bakersfield Inn on the west side of Union Avenue...

The Kern County Fair is known far and wide for representing the time of year where you can eat deep fried anything in abundance, watch a rodeo, purchase countless locally made wares, see livestock, and have your picture taken with a camel...

During the late 1800’s in our lovely county, the Kern River was the place to be when the summers became too hot to bear. Not only was it a cool spot for swimming (clothing optional), but it was a mecca for fishing—a tradition that is still upheld today. However, the river wasn’t always stocked with enough fish to draw countless fisherman to its banks.

All throughout our city, we are surrounded by historic buildings and statues which bring character, charm, and serve as reminders of the incredible past Bakersfield possesses. Colonel Baker sits forever focused in front of City Hall while Father Garces tirelessly keeps watch over the Garces Circle...

The Kern River has always brought beauty, sustenance, and character to Bakersfield and its surrounding areas. At one point, it even brought power – and more than just a little trouble for some...

By 1890, the Kern County Land Company was in full-force, cultivating the surrounding areas of Bakersfield. The plan was to colonize sections of land within a few miles of town. One section, in particular, was called The Rosedale Colony...

What words come to mind when you think of Bakersfield? In the 1970s, they were “sun, fun, stay, and play.” These words marked the edges of town at the north and south ends on Highway 99. These bright, old signs harken back to an era when families still took road trips in the car (without a TV and Blu-ray player). Erected to promote passers-through to stop and support local businesses, the mammoth signs were 49 feet tall and 60 feet wide so drivers on the 99 couldn’t help but notice.