Vintage Bakersfield Pictures - Things that interest ME - NancyII's Blog - Bakersfield.com

Jun 20, 2007 at 10:06 PM : One of the best...

One of the best collection I've seen. Awesome!

Thank you for taking the time to share that.

Jun 20, 2007 at 11:06 PM : I have more but not...

I have more but not scanned yet. I still have a couple of people who, when they have Bakersfield cards, email me to look them over.

I'll post it when I get more on. I have quite a few of the of motels along Union when it was THE strip to travel. Real people used to stay in them long before the prostitutes and sleazes turned them into no tell motels.

Jun 20, 2007 at 11:06 PM : Nancy, what a great...

Nancy, what a great collection. I can't wait until you get more online,

(I was gonna ask if you took those pictures, but thought I might get smacked. :) )

Jun 20, 2007 at 11:06 PM : Good guess...

Good guess Tom. I knew you were a smart man. :-)

Jun 21, 2007 at 01:06 AM : Those are really neat!!

Those are really neat!!

Jun 21, 2007 at 05:06 AM : A lot of memories for...

A lot of memories for me there Nancy.

Jun 21, 2007 at 06:06 AM : Thanks...

Thanks Nancy.

My mother had a terrible time trying to turn lelt around the clock tower. She could never decide wheter to turn in front of the tower or curcle around the back to turn. She made things very interesting for the people taking refuge in the base of the tower..

Jun 21, 2007 at 06:06 AM : Loved these photos...

Loved these photos Nancy and look forward to the one's of the old hotels along Union Avenue. I have a lot of old postcards of those hotel/motel landmarks as well and two menu's, one from the Bakersfield Inn and the other from the Rancho Bakersfield Motel, circa early late 50 - early 60's.

Jun 21, 2007 at 06:06 AM : Here's a link to...

Here's a link to another great place to find vintage photos.

Jun 21, 2007 at 06:06 AM : So Bakersfield used to...

So Bakersfield used to have great architecture before the 50s came in and spoiled it. Great photos Nancy.

Jun 21, 2007 at 07:06 AM : Darn that earthquake...

Darn that earthquake anyway. It cost us a lot of cool buildings. There's an even older picture of the courthouse in my stuff..I've gotta dig them out.

In the one of Lerners you can see the Kress building at the far left and in the very lower left corner you can see what used to be Rogers Jewelers where they had a black glassy tile facade and a big clock on top. Rogers was on the north east corner of 19th and Chester.

Jun 21, 2007 at 08:06 AM : Thanks Nancy. Love...

Thanks Nancy. Love those old postcards. Remember shopping at Lerners as a young girl. And thanks for that link baketown - a lot of history there.

Jun 21, 2007 at 08:06 AM : Nancy, these are...

Nancy, these are great! Thank you, and I can't wait to see more.

(And Steve, dude, yeah, the '50s left us a lot of ugly stuff, but not all of it. Drive through some of residential neighborhoods from the era to see some nice examples of the '50s-modern "atomic ranch.")

Jun 21, 2007 at 08:06 AM : Rogers Jewelers had...

Rogers Jewelers had those wonderous clockwork driven devices with tiny elves using silver hammers on golden anvils. My brother and I loved watching those displays and always looked forward to the new masterpieces of the jeweler's artistry.

Jun 21, 2007 at 08:06 AM : I'm glad everyone...

I'm glad everyone is enjoying the pictures. I always thought Vivian Tucker had the coolest job and was sorry to see her pass. I'd love to dig up stories like she did and show newcomers (and some oldcomers) what this city is really all about.

Talk about making your hobby your career and never working a day in your life again..what a great thing to do.

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 AM : Nice Nancy! I'll...

Nice Nancy! I'll try to find some too.....

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 AM : Driving to L.A. has...

Driving to L.A. has always been an adventure....

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 AM : I didn't think...

I didn't think the Garces Circle was that old......

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 AM : Here's a 50s shot...

Here's a 50s shot for ya Steve...

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 AM : Earthquake time!

Earthquake time!

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 AM : We've come a long...

We've come a long way in the last century....

Jun 21, 2007 at 10:06 AM : WOW!!!! ...

WOW!!!! These shots/postcards are AWESOME!!!! Thanks so much for posting them, antiex and Nancy! And thanks for that GREAT link, baketown! I wish there were a way I could save this blog forever!

Jun 21, 2007 at 10:06 AM : Antiex, in that...

Antiex, in that Grapevine shot, is that a large body of water and a BRIDGE in the background? What could that be?

And, looking at the photos from the library, does anyone remember exactly where the Oleander Market was???

Jun 21, 2007 at 10:06 AM : Oh wow! I remember...

Oh wow! I remember shopping at that Sears. I had forgotten it was across from the Kress store.

Jun 21, 2007 at 11:06 AM : Good show...

Good show Nancy! The Johnson collection in Baketown's link shows some great pictures of the earthquake.

Jun 21, 2007 at 11:06 AM : Calamity, the large...

Calamity, the large body of water was Buena Vista Lake. The Kern River drained there before the Isabella Dam was built and then it dried up from the water diversions.

Jun 21, 2007 at 05:06 PM : Thanks Nancy! I...

Thanks Nancy! I can't wait to see the rest of your collection (hint, hint). Also a shout out of thanks to antiextremism!

Jun 21, 2007 at 06:06 PM : See what you started...

See what you started Nancy? A great collection of Bako pics here..thanks Nancy for writing up the blog..and you obviously figured out how to upload pics eh? :)

This beat those damn anagrams or whatever they were about the spam codes the other night :P

Jun 21, 2007 at 08:06 PM : Nancy, This time,...

Nancy,

This time, you've outdone yourself. These pictures are priceless. Thanks so much for posting them. You've got my vote for best blog ever. ;-)

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : Hey Tony, you have a...

Hey Tony, you have a new pic...could I ask what that is?

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : Very cool shots!...

Very cool shots! Thanks a bunch!!!

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : Dusty..I knew how to...

Dusty..I knew how to post them on my own blog..I just haven't figured out or uploaded them to a remote place for posting on other people's blogs.

Tony..thanks for the compliment. This is business as usual for me as it's my hobby. One Sunday I went to the Museum gift shop and bought a book on the Chinese in Bakersfield. Then I drove slowly all over trying to pinpoint where things pictured in the book were located. Sunday is a great day to do that.

For a short time I worked at the Habit and the gal who owned it told me it used to be a Chinese Laundry. The boilers and machinery were still in the fenced in back yard and may still be there. I've no idea what the name of the laundry was. When I was a younger (ahem) chick, the cribs they used for the prostitutes were still visable. It was a long narrow building and you could see where the doors had been. Just about cot sized apart. I think it was somewhere near the tv station (KGET) downtown.

As for the picture with what appears to be Buena Vista lake. I looks like it goes right up to 99 Highway so I'm not sure that's what it is. I grew up inear those parts and there was never a lake that I remember. I have to admit we didn't move here til the early 40's. More research is needed as to when the water from the lake disappeared.

I'm delighted that something was posted that brought everyone together.

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : If I remember right...

If I remember right (and I may not) it seems to me that the water in the Grapevine picture was only there part of the year. It was kind of a catch basin for overflow from the river. I don't remember it being called Buena Vista.

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : It was very nice to...

It was very nice to see them all. Not being from here, I have a keen interest in the historical look to old Bako. When exactly was the 1952 earthquake? My husband remembers it and talks about it occasionally.

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : Yeah that Grapevine...

Yeah that Grapevine picture, after closer examination, kinda throws me off. I didn't notice what looks like water. At first I thought Tulare Lake? But that was farther up towards Visalia, then my next thought was Buena Vista lake. I think Matt might be right, but as Nancy points out it seems to end at the road.

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : The first earthquake...

The first earthquake was in July about 5 AM. I was sleeping in my mothers bed and when it woke me up she was sitting on the edge of the bed looking out the window. I asked it it was a bomb (Hiroshima hadn't been far back you know) and she said "no, it's an earthquake. My aunt, uncle, and 3 boys were here from TX and sleeping all over the house. It shook a cactus painted desert scene off the shelf and everyonw waws tiptoing around cactus. My aunt was ready to pack up and head bad to TX.

The second one was in August and was the one that caused the most damage as the first had rattled everything loose. Tehachapi was hardest hit in terms of lost lives as it was nearer the epicenter. The fault was the White Wolf and can be seen out from Arvin.

During that second one around 3 PM I was at a neighbor s house with a few other kids. Their sow had just had a bunch of piglets and we were all in the pen gawking at them. When the quake hit, we all started screaming "MAMA" and tried to get through the gate which kept moving back and forth on us. Pretty terrifying for a 10 year old.

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : Yes, earthquakes of...

Yes, earthquakes of great magnitude are scary for children. As a Cali native I have been through my share. Thanks for remembering it for me Nancy :)

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : Another...

Another memory. My Dad was working on a drilling rig somewhere up on the mountain range between Frazier Park and the Maricopa road and he said when the quake hit the rig started swaying back and forth. He also said they could see out over the valley and that the dust started rising like a fog to the point that they couldn't see the valley.

It must have been terrible for a lot of people since cell phones were a long way from existance.

We lost a lot of history during that time. The only buildings that have retained their original beauty are the Kress building and the Chinese restaurant on the corner across from the Far East. It still has tile roof with the tipped up edges. Refurbished I know, but original looking anyway.

Jun 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM : Wow..I love hearing...

Wow..I love hearing about the history..you and my husband are a wealth of knowledge Nancy. Thanks

Jun 21, 2007 at 10:06 PM : When I was a bartender...

When I was a bartender at Best Western I had people come in all the time asking about the city. Once I was asked if we had a downtown because you can't see it from the freeway. Because of our shakey past (quakes) and the low cost of land, it was easier and cheaper to build out rather than up. That gives passersby the impression that we have no "downtown." Of course we all know how well THAT worked out...but it is what it is.

In any case, I keep waiting for someone to offer me a job as local amateur historian and head Bakersfield cheerleader. (Maybe the pay will be more than I'm now making.) :-)

People who were passing through and staying at the hotel were usually surprised at the history here. The motel pics and other places of local interest will probably go up on Sat since I have to work tomorrow and my brain is mush tonight. You'll be surprised to know that the little boarded up motel behind the Mexican restaurant (used to be a hamburger stand) on Union and the overpass on Truxtun was a very nice place. I have a postcard of that one too. I just had to take a drive down and check it out.

Jun 21, 2007 at 10:06 PM : Oh, I can't wait...

Oh, I can't wait for those Nancy! Your so sweeet to post them all :)

Jun 22, 2007 at 02:06 AM : Grapevine Lake: ...

Grapevine Lake: Shouldn't the water visible from the grapevine be Kern Lake? It supposedly crossed 99 at Herring Road, but at the time of the picture, would have probably been rerouted for farming, as well as only seasonal.

Jun 22, 2007 at 07:06 AM : I have that postcard...

I have that postcard and if I'm not mistaken it's a drawing rather than a postcard. That would account for the appearance of water where there shouldn't be any. I hate to admit it but I haven't taken any of my card out since I moved and will have to try to figure out where I put them. Wed and Thurs are my long days at work so I'm not of much use for physical labor on those days...I'll get this question solved (if I can..lol) this weekend. I stillhave a lot of things in boxes as I finally discovered I didn't really need as much stuff as I ended up with. Not to mention I downsized living quarters and have no place to put half the things I had out in the old house. Even my small collection of Fenton Silver Crest is still packed away. Along with my postcards.

Jun 22, 2007 at 09:06 AM : I believe you're...

I believe you're right Nancy, about the "lake" on the postcard....a little artistic license there. I've driven the old Ridge Route in recent years, and I don't remember being able to see any lakes, even though we do have several now (Pyramid, Castaic, etc.) And Nancy, thanks so much for sharing your pics and postcards!!

My mom's family had just come to California (Pasadena) from Oklahoma in '51 and had never experienced an earthquake. My grandpa and mom were already up, and my mom remembers watching him trying to turn on a light, but not being able to actually get hold of the light switch because of the swaying. My grandpa used to tell me about standing at the front window and watching the street "roll" like an ocean wave.

Jun 22, 2007 at 09:06 AM : We were living in...

We were living in Oregon during the quake. Glad I missed it.

I do have a quake story I got from an old family friend, Betty (since deceased). She was John Brock's personal secretary. It was a usual work day for them on the top floor of the old Brock building. The quake shook the bejesus out of the place with the result that a wall encasing the staircase crumbled. That left the staircase exposed on one side with just a remaining wall holding it up. It was pitch black in the building and the dust made breathing difficult. John Brock, Betty and a customer had to find a way down the staircase to the safety of the street.

Betty said the customer was paralyzed with fear and had a death grip on her neck. This made navigating the stairs much harder for Betty. She finally told the customer to calm down and let go of her neck. They slowly made their way down the stairs to the street. When they reached the street, Betty said she was amazed they survived considering the destruction they saw everywhere.

Jun 22, 2007 at 05:06 PM : Wow Nancy! You have...

Wow Nancy! You have really got everyone talking!

I wanted to let you know that we have a local history section on NewToBakersfield.com where we are collecting these types of images. Our collection right now is small, but I would love it if you would re-post there or send them to me as well: mrusso@bakersfield.com

Thank you for sharing!!!

Jun 22, 2007 at 06:06 PM : Mary, Im always happy...

Mary, Im always happy to share anything I have about the city.

I'm really pleased that so many people are interested in our history. With all the new construction and infrastructure problems they forget (if they ever knew) what a great place this was to raise a family. In our quest to be bigger, better, and badder, we forgot that with progress comes change...and it isn't always good change.

Somewhere I also have a picture of the library and Brocks working out of huge tents. I guess I have my job cut out for me this weekend don't I? :-)

Jun 23, 2007 at 10:06 AM : Being a newbie to...

Being a newbie to Bakersfield (been here 18 months) it was refreshing to find this blog. I'll be checking it regularly to learn new and fascinating things about my new hometown. Keep up the good work, Nancy. You are a Bakersfield Gem! Regards, Joy

Jun 23, 2007 at 04:06 PM : Saved seeing this...

Saved seeing this ,really gald i took a look~Thanks to you Nancy and anti.I have a picture of my mom,about 5 years old with my Pa on the grapevine road~one lane dirt~can you imagine? have to dig that out and post it one day.

Jun 24, 2007 at 02:06 PM : Regarding the pic of...

Regarding the pic of Cy's Drive in at 24th and Union. We used to go there all of the time in the early 60s but I remember it being called Clarks Broiler, is that correct or has it been to long for me to remember, I was just a little kid.

Jun 24, 2007 at 02:06 PM : gsisola I think you...

gsisola

I think you are right but Nancy will have to confirm.

Jun 30, 2007 at 07:06 AM : I've added a few...

I've added a few photos... hope you enjoy these as well.

To answer the question about Cy's/Clarks. I believe you are right about it being Clarks Broiler in later years but I'll check it out. There was a bowling alley there too and later a night club. I've forgotten the name but it was something like The Golden West. (?). Now a correctional facility of some sort sits in that spot.

Jun 30, 2007 at 10:06 PM : There are two pictures...

There are two pictures of Kern Canyon in the album now. One appears to be when it was unpaved. Next pictures will go in a separate blog so that folks won't have to wade through ones they've already seen.

Jul 1, 2007 at 07:07 AM : Those pics are...

Those pics are awesome. I remember going to Eden-Roc as a child with my mother. There was another restaurant further down the road called The Clock as well. A lot of these pics are of images before my time but a few bring back good memories. Thanks.

Jul 1, 2007 at 08:07 AM : The Clock is now a...

The Clock is now a Mexican restaurant. Funny story about the Eden Roc. A few years ago I worked at the clinic that took over the Eden Roc building and one day a guy came in and looked around with a puzzled expression. He asked "didn't this used to be a coffee shop?" and when he was told yes, he said that he was just passing through town and remembered that place and it had the best biscuits and gravy he'd ever had. Boy was he disappointed. LOL.

Jul 1, 2007 at 08:07 AM : lol. I went to what...

lol. I went to what used to be the Clock about a year ago. I don't remember the restaurant being that small but I guess things appear to larger when you're a child. The people were so nice there (The Clock). I remember they had a pinball machine in the corner and my brother and I would play it.

Jul 1, 2007 at 12:07 PM : As usual you live in...

As usual you live in the past, maybe Sam has extra room in his mountain cave for another Boarder.

Jul 1, 2007 at 12:07 PM : No need to capitalize...

No need to capitalize "boarder."

Jul 1, 2007 at 12:07 PM : I just wanted to make...

I just wanted to make sure you do not get a "small" room.
But than again if your wanted to make a move you would have time. I take Sam three pages of text to say that he hates Muslims, He hates Mexicans and he hates women, that gives you day's start when and if he says "get out"!

Jul 1, 2007 at 12:07 PM : Are you drinking...

Are you drinking again? Your text is getting sloppy and I know you can write/type better than that. Lay off that beer and go back to coffee.

Jul 1, 2007 at 12:07 PM : No, it is...

No, it is your wonderful compassionate comments that accounts for my euphoria. Oh and be nice to Sam, his dementia grows daily. Today he hates Muslims, tomorrow Mexicans, and next the world.

Jul 1, 2007 at 12:07 PM : Thanks for keeping...

Thanks for keeping this blog on the top of the viewing list. This way more people who enjoy pictures of the past will get a chance to see them. :-)

Jul 1, 2007 at 01:07 PM : See, and you...

See, and you thought I did not like you.

Jul 1, 2007 at 03:07 PM : Evidently no one has a...

Evidently no one has a picture of it but I remember we even had a bordello on Edison Hwy. I remember the grownups (men) talking about it as a lad. I'm sure we had more than one but this one was two stories and well known...

Jul 1, 2007 at 03:07 PM : I worked at...

I worked at Kress' and Mitchener's while in high school. I also worked as an usher at the Fox Theater. I had a good picture of Mitchener's but darn! I can't find it..

Jul 1, 2007 at 03:07 PM : Roy~ My dad frequented...

Roy~ My dad frequented the "downtown" version~yes the Padre..some other folks talk of their dads visiting that place as well,lo i can imagine somewhere some wife seeing her hubbies pic of that bordello,tearing it to shreds and dinner being real bad~I know dads food was a reflection of his behavior! lol

Jul 1, 2007 at 03:07 PM : Roy, if we could just...

Roy, if we could just turn the camera around on the Far East picture we could see Michners.

I've had to sign in on almost every post I've made today. It will let me though a few times then back to signing in. Is this thing NEVER going to get fixed?

Jul 1, 2007 at 04:07 PM : mumm Michners..those...

mumm Michners..those hamburgers!Nancy I thought you were going to mention the brick building across the street.My Nana talked about eating there till she saw a cat in the alley and swore(yeah even that long ago)that the chicken chow mien was not chicken!

I hate the sign in sign out thing too!

Jul 1, 2007 at 06:07 PM : Sage..the cool thing...

Sage..the cool thing is thaey remodeled that brick building but kept the Chinese style. As for cats. Bill Lees son opened a Barbeque place across the street from Bamboo Chopsticks called The Hickory House. (empty parking lot now) They had the BEST barbecue. A report came out that they had cats hanging in the walk in so that ended their reliability. Unless you like cats for dinner that is. They claimed the cat carcasses were for their own use and not for the public. No matta ...no one wants cat carcasses hanging next to their ribs.

Jul 6, 2007 at 10:07 PM : Regarding Ms...

Regarding Ms Yoni's comment about the Grapevine Picture. Before the Buena Vista Lakes the Buena Vista Slew ended right a the end of the Grapevine grade. From this point the conastoga wagons were loaded onto barge type pole boats and they were poled as far as San Francisco without EVER having to get off. With the blockage caused by the large I5 canal that will never again be possible. The last boat journey of this type was made around 1976 as I remember in a VERY wet year we had, but few remember that the entire end of the San Jouquin valley was a swamp slew. It was als othe site of the first recorded earthquake in the State of California around 1857 when a cowboy had come off the Grapevine and was riding up to the lake that was only around 3 feet deep when there was a horrible earthquake and all of the animals in the area began running past him on his horse and he saw a tsunuma over 8 feet high coming at him. He gallopped his horse over two miles before the wave overtook him and he was swamped off his horse. The water resided and he was several miles from the lake at that time. I will try to find more details.

http://www.data.scec.org/chrono_index/forttejo.html

Jul 6, 2007 at 10:07 PM : Code??

Code??