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Museum renovation underway
           Several major renovation and rehabilitation projects are taking place at the Kern County Museum, located at 3801 Chester Ave., in Bakersfield. The Kern...
Posted by KCSOSCOMM - Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:17:09 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [34]
 
Frank Iritani: Champion for peace, tolerance and justice
Frank Iritani, a lifelong advocate for peace, tolerance, and social justice, died from pneumonia on September 30 in Sacramento, CA at the age of 87. He had lived in Bakersfield with his wife, Joanne, and children Susanna, Ken and...
Anonymous user - Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:31:12 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [91]
 
If you build it they will come, or will they?
Even though corn doesn't line the outfield at Sam Lynn Ballpark, it’s still one of baseballs “Field of Dreams”. As a follow up to my prior article last month regarding the announcement by the...
Posted by TheNoiseFactor - Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:18:08 PDT
Comments [1] - Views [102]
 
You Can’t Go Home Again?
Is that statement true? You know the one I mean-- the Thomas Wolfe title of his most successful novel....is it really true? For many years now I have been absent from Shafter and Bakersfield, absent from the lands, roads and people who...
Posted by Contributor - Wed Oct 8, 2008 15:11:20 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [494]
 
Resurrecting the ghosts of New River
We know that the Kern River has made several dramatic shifts in alignment over the past century and a half. I will mention only two of those shifts because they are relevant to the tale I’d like to share. In 1861-62, flooding from...
Posted by Contributor - Wed Oct 8, 2008 12:49:54 PDT
Comments [2] - Views [627]
 
Tule boating on CSUB campus
Two hundred twenty years ago, Lake Mohave filled the California desert to depths exceeding 200 feet, with a drainage of 3,500 square miles. Buena Vista and Kern Lake, near what is now Bakersfield, covered nearly 100 square miles to...
Posted by Contributor - Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:19:29 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [346]
 
Stagecoach Days and the Butterfield Overland Mail
Fort Tejon will present "Stagecoach Days" on October 4th, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Overland Mail Stagecoach. Fort Tejon welcomed the first Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach 150 years ago on...
Posted by Contributor - Mon Sep 29, 2008 13:05:33 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [140]
 
Leonard Velasco was a leader in the Delano Filipino community
Leonard T. Velasco, Filipino pioneer and former mayor of Delano, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 16, with his family at his side. Velasco was born on March 5, 1931 in Looc, Mindoro Philippines. He shared many happy memories as a young boy...
Posted by Contributor - Wed Sep 24, 2008 16:44:02 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [287]
 
Help identify these historic local homes
Can you help identify these homes? Maybe you live in one, or one is in your neighborhood. The Kern County Museum is looking for addresses of these homes. Please email sawoodman@kern.org if you know the address of any of...
Posted by sawoodman - Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:35:58 PDT
Comments [1] - Views [178]
 
Author David Kulczyk at Russo Books on September 27th
 Author David Kulczyk will be signing and speaking about his book, California Justice - Shootouts, Lynchings and Assassinations in the Golden State (Word Dancer Press) at Russo Books (9000 Ming Ave) on September 27th .   ...
Posted by CaliforniaJustice - Mon Sep 8, 2008 11:05:07 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [150]
 
Randsburg Celebration Sept. 20
The last "living ghost town" in southern California is the name given our eastern Kern County city. This 120-year-old boom town once had a thriving population of 4,000, in 1919, and was known as the biggest gold mine in...
Posted by Contributor - Wed Sep 3, 2008 16:28:04 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [123]
 
The Bakersfield Wavetts: 60 years later
By Sophie (Lozano) Unkrey It was 1949. From an idea conceived by Mrs. Ilo (Blossom) Scatena, a group of young World War II ex-Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) formed the club to be named Bakersfield Wavetts....
Posted by Contributor - Tue Aug 5, 2008 15:52:03 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [96]
 
So Says Solomon
Every now and then I start to wonder about life.  Not so much about mine, not so much about yours, but about life as it is general.  I was driving home around half past noon.  The same way, the same way always.  But,...
Posted by HeatherIjames - Thu Jul 24, 2008 16:52:56 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [104]
 
Oildale: In the beginning it was 'Northside'
The great Kern River flood of 1868 had left hundreds of acres of fertile, alluvial soil on the north side of Kern River adjacent to Bakersfield. A settlement called 'Northside' was founded there in 1875. The Beardsley Canal was built...
Posted by Contributor - Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:31:50 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [267]
 
So Says Solomon
  Every now and then I start to wonder about life.  Not so much about mine, not so much about yours, but about life as it is general.  I was driving home around half past noon.  The same way, the same way...
Posted by kthnxby - Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:02:29 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [58]
 
Lopez House Historic Films Fundraiser Aug. 1
                It will be Kern County on the big screen as “The House with Three Lives” and “Wild West Country: The Lure of Gold” premier for...
Posted by KCSOSCOMM - Thu Jul 24, 2008 09:58:02 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [86]
 
Horned toad derby of 1935
Unusual contests became popular during the Great Depression, dance marathons, walkathons and 6 day bike racing to name a few. Bakersfield was no exception and promoted "The Horned Toad Derby." I don't know what became of all...
Posted by Contributor - Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:14:33 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [132]
 
Kern River Canyon, 1937-1940
My dad worked in the oil fields north of Bakersfield at the Italo lease.  At certain times of the year he was given time off to rest up, usually a week or so.   He liked to go up to Hobo Hot Springs to enjoy the sulfur...
Posted by kaarll - Tue Jul 8, 2008 16:02:56 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [210]
 
Buck Owens Studio: A final walk through history
The Day the Locks were changed at the Buck Owens Studio - Bakersfield, Ca. Trout's spokesperson, T. Rockwell, spent several hours with Board of Trade Director, Rick Davis, as a small group followed them through the Buck Owens Studios...
Posted by lynender - Tue May 27, 2008 13:44:25 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [168]
 
The Pathfinder Padre
The Native Americans thought of him as an Oracle and although he was only 30 years old they called him "El Viejo", (Old Man), which was an expression of affection. Francisco Hermenegildo Tomas Garces was a great missionary...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Tue Apr 29, 2008 15:06:57 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [134]
 
Our 1904 Clock Tower Remembered
      On April 2, 2008, the Beale Memorial Clock Tower will celebrate it's 104th anniversary. As the Statue of Liberty is to New York, As the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco, and as the Mission is to...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Mon Mar 24, 2008 17:01:01 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [242]
 
Keeping cool in early Bakersfield
Home refrigeration, swamp coolers and automatic ice cube makers were a luxury to come in the distant future for Bakersfield's pioneers and the blistering heat of summer was just as it is today. How could they have coped with such extreme...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Mon Mar 24, 2008 17:00:51 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [270]
 
1937 Class Reunion: Kern County Union High School
A special invitation is being issued to all survivors, friends and families of the Class of 1937 of Kern County Union High School. This will be the 71st Reunion. Survivors of the Class of '37 are gathering for this historic reunion on...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Fri Mar 21, 2008 17:20:24 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [422]
 
"The Diamond Mine" — or "Confessions of a Bakersfield DJ"
Many know me as Jim Diamond, the Sunday morning DJ at KUZZ radio. I’ve written an autobiography called “The Diamond Mine” (or, “Confessions of a Bakersfield DJ”). The truth is, I’ve wanted to do this...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Fri Mar 21, 2008 14:28:42 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [368]
 
The Streetcars, Gone But Not Forgotten
In 1874, the city of Bakersfield and the Southern Pacific Railroad had a dispute over how much land the city would be required to donate to the Railroad Company in order to have it's tracks run through town. Bakersfield would not give...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Tue Mar 11, 2008 16:31:01 PDT
Comments [0] - Views [300]
 
cool, clear water
     Memory is a flawed reference, but I'll bet if you suffered from Valley heat in the 1930s and lived anywhere between McFarland and Earlimart, you will remember The Delano Plunge. Built, owned and operated by my...
Posted by pbowhay - Thu Feb 21, 2008 16:04:53 PST
Comments [0] - Views [353]
 
Happy Valentines Day
Oh Valentine, my Valentine!  Be my sweetie Valentine! Always a day of romance and promise, sincere or otherwise, but never more so than in the fourth grade at Horace Mann in Bakersfield. The day when you would know if she really...
Posted by pbowhay - Thu Feb 7, 2008 17:27:17 PST
Comments [0] - Views [522]
 
The many faces of Old 99
The June, 1949 issue of " Western Construction News Magazine" crowned the US 99 Highway Between Los Angeles and Oakland  as  "The Worlds Greatest Highway". They based their claim on the fact that the daily...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Fri Feb 1, 2008 17:35:47 PST
Comments [0] - Views [893]
 
History of the Kern County Historical Society
One hundred and fourteen years ago, March 22, 1894, a determinded group of Kern County pioneers assembled at the residence of the promanent town doctor, L.S. Rogers and wife, for the purpose of organizing a society of pioneers. The...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:14:03 PST
Comments [0] - Views [553]
 
Perils of Party Loyalty
 Early now, in the political season, but  even so, there doesn't seem to be much fervor, except of course on CNN. A fair amount of inter party insults, but we can only hope that when we get down -- or up -- to Red vs Blue this...
Posted by pbowhay - Wed Jan 23, 2008 15:52:24 PST
Comments [0] - Views [400]
 
December 20, 1977
Thirty years ago I was a young woman living in north Oildale with my husband and five year old daughter. We rented a small, solid house that was built at the close of WWII. Our front door was made of  wood but it was so short that...
Posted by AudreyB - Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:51:07 PST
Comments [0] - Views [728]
 
Ferguson's Wallpaper and Paints
Ferguson's Wallpaper and Paint Store at 2021 Chester Avenue, circa 1920 Images like this are available for purchase from the Kern County Museum. Check out the Historic Photos section of the museum's website - www.kcmuseum.org
Posted by sawoodman - Wed Jan 9, 2008 15:05:11 PST
Comments [0] - Views [375]
 
Hart Park In The Beginning
Few residents of Kern County remember "The Great 300 Foot Dante Cascading Waterfall" or the "Great Amphitheater", patterned after the Hollywood Bowl only larger. These were designed, planned and site located on the...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Fri Jan 4, 2008 11:38:33 PST
Comments [1] - Views [1086]
 
Dust Storm
On Dec. 20, 1977 I worked for the US Army Center on Chester Ave. We loaned our 6 wheel drive 2 1/2 ton trucks to the National Guard. They used them to patrol south HWY 99. They rescued people, who were stranded, and brought them to...
Posted by SuperChiefK - Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:12:58 PST
Comments [0] - Views [531]
 
I Was a Teenage Paperboy
For those of you old enough, you may remember that the Californian was an afternoon paper back when the dust storm happened.  I was an eighth grader in Shafter, and had a paper route in my neighborhood.  With a dark orange sky...
Posted by Moonaticman - Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:07:12 PST
Comments [0] - Views [408]
 
Tumbleweed Snowman, Dust Storm of 1977
I remember the day of the dust storm. We lived on Pryor Street off of Olive Drive so we were not as at risk as people in the more open spaces. Two or three days before the storm, my five-year-old grandson Ryan Walter and I had driven...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Mon Dec 17, 2007 16:17:10 PST
Comments [0] - Views [636]
 
1977 Dust Storm: Indelible in my memory
At the time, I was the weathercaster for KERO-TV Channel 23, which was then the NBC affiliate.  I was just hired about ten weeks before for my first television weathercasting job by then General Manager Ray Watson, and News Director...
Posted by wxokie - Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:51:15 PST
Comments [1] - Views [2101]
 
Christmas in the Hard Times
Christmas is always the most wonderful time of the year and because it is so special, everyone can remember the really great and the not so great Christmases of their lives. I still remember when the Christmas season was made brighter...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Thu Dec 13, 2007 14:20:14 PST
Comments [0] - Views [759]
 
Bussing through the storm
My bus route followed Highway 58 from Buttonwillow to Enos Lane and north on Enos Lane to Beech Street into Shafter. Frito Lay had leveled the area where their plant sits now. It must have been at least a mile or more long on the...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:53:02 PST
Comments [0] - Views [466]
 
Dust Storm Baby
The Dust Storm of 1977 always brings back special memories for me and I can remember it like it was yesterday. You see I was 9 months pregnant and due at any time. At approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (the day before the dust...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:52:58 PST
Comments [0] - Views [556]
 
'Only fools' would travel in this weather
December 20, 1977, I was working in Wasco, California for an attorney, awaiting to be sworn in to the California Bar the following day in Los Angeles. When the dust store hit and did not subside I knew I would have problems making it...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:52:15 PST
Comments [0] - Views [462]
 
Dust storm memory
The dust storm of December 20 1977 started very early. That morning on my way from Tehachapi to Foothill High School where I taught, the dust clouds and winds were already treacherous. School didn’t last long that day. We sent the...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Mon Dec 10, 2007 14:09:26 PST
Comments [0] - Views [565]
 
Timber! Dust storm uprooted our tree
During the dust storm of 1977, a huge pine tree that was uprooted and fell across our steel beams of our carport and we were left with a branch hanging into our ktichen. Since we had invited 40 family and friends for dinner, I just...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Wed Dec 5, 2007 11:53:30 PST
Comments [0] - Views [570]
 
Windstorm of December 20, 1977
The Windstorm of 12-20-77. “Oh, I remember it well!” I was a young, twenty-four year old, married mother of two small children. My husband, who worked for PG&E, as a meter reader, had already left for work. I was...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Wed Dec 5, 2007 10:18:56 PST
Comments [0] - Views [512]
 
Two Palm Trees and a Dust Storm
I was 10 years old attending Seibert Elementary School on that dusty, dry day in December 1977. My class was scheduled to put on a Christmas show. I remember my parents discussing if I should stay home, but I couldn’t miss the...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Thu Nov 29, 2007 17:35:30 PST
Comments [0] - Views [545]
 
Dust Storm
Bakersfield's Wind Storm I was a freshman at South High School in 1977. My Mother on seeing the dark sky, all the dust and hearing the wind decided to keep my brother Bob and me home from school that day. Power was out at our...
Posted by markspencer - Thu Nov 29, 2007 17:33:43 PST
Comments [0] - Views [661]
 
dust storm of '77
THE KERN COUNTY DUST STORM OF DECEMBER 20, 1977 BY LORETTA PATTERSON OF BAKERSFIELD, CA I woke up that morning with a loud roaring of wind blowing around the house. Two of my sons were students at South High and when I saw all the...
Posted by LorettaPatterson - Thu Nov 29, 2007 17:27:12 PST
Comments [0] - Views [587]
 
Birthday Storm
We well remember the Dec. 20, 1977, dust storm. It was my daughter’s 16th birthday so we had special plans to celebrate — then the 100 mph winds “blew” in. No power, of course, but fortunately in my...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Wed Nov 28, 2007 09:21:47 PST
Comments [0] - Views [447]
 
Golf in the face of a gale
The article by Leonel Martinez about the great wind and dust storm of 1977, with its 100+ MPH winds and 5-foot visibility brought back memories. Early that same morning, my friend Jim Hartman and I met at Kern City for our weekly round...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Mon Nov 26, 2007 16:35:16 PST
Comments [0] - Views [558]
 
Dust storm left me with a special class of one
I was teaching a class at Lakeside School. I had battled my way from Bakersfield that morning, only to find that Lakeside classes were canceled and the Kern County special ed classes probably would be. I couldn’t find out because...
Posted by citizenjournalist - Mon Nov 26, 2007 16:35:05 PST
Comments [0] - Views [547]
 

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