Stories on Bakersfield's Sidewalks Reveal the City's Founding History

The Arts Council of Kern is hosting Stories on the Sidewalk, an event that brings Kern County history to life through street stories and historical figures. Residents are discussing the program as it connects directly to the documented timeline of Bakersfield's origins and growth.

Founding and Early Settlement

Colonel Thomas Baker founded Bakersfield in 1850 after planting an alfalfa field to refresh travelers' livestock, leading to the name Baker's Field. The settlement that became the city began as Kern Island in 1860 before floods destroyed it in 1861. The city was officially incorporated in 1873, establishing the municipal framework still referenced in local historical accounts.

Oil Development and Economic Shift

Oil discovery in the valley occurred in 1865. The 1899 start of the McKittrick Field further transformed the area into a major economic hub and earned Bakersfield the nickname Queen of the San Joaquin. These dated developments remain central to explanations of the city's expansion that appear in the Stories on the Sidewalk presentations.

Country Music Legacy

Bakersfield developed as a significant center for country music history. The Bakersfield Sound honky-tonk style flourished in the 1950s and 1960s with stars including Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Event organizers incorporate these cultural milestones alongside earlier settlement and industry milestones to illustrate the full sequence of local change.

The program uses public streets and historical figures to present these facts without requiring travel to distant sites. Participants can attend upcoming sessions organized by the Arts Council of Kern to hear the same sequence of events outlined in verified local records. Details on locations and dates are available through the council's regular announcements.