KERN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

BAKERSFIELD, CA

The Kern County Historical Society (KCHS) is a non-profit organization located in Bakersfield, California, dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Kern County. Founded in 1946, KCHS has been collecting, preserving, and exhibiting artifacts, documents, photographs, and oral histories related to Kern County for over 70 years.

KCHS operates the Beale Memorial Library, an extensive research library with a collection that focuses on the history of Kern County and the Central Valley. The library contains books, newspapers, maps, records, and other documents related to the region’s past. The library also offers a variety of educational programs and workshops.

KCHS also operates the Kern County Museum, a museum that offers exhibits and educational programs about the history of Kern County. The museum includes a replica of an 1880s pioneer town, a replica of a blacksmith’s shop, and a restored Santa Fe Railroad Depot. The museum also houses a range of artifacts, documents, photographs, and other materials related to the history of Kern County.

KCHS is committed to providing educational opportunities and preserving the region’s cultural heritage. Through its exhibits, programs, and library, KCHS encourages the public to learn more about Kern County’s rich past. KCHS also works with local organizations and other historical institutions to promote and protect the region’s history.

KERN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY is a Historical Societies, Historic Preservation in BAKERSFIELD CA. US MID #8400602698

The museum is classed as HSC (Historical Societies, Historic Preservation). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Western (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington).

P20160101047-1 Homer was so excited. He couldn't believe his Dad was taking him beaver hunting. I mean, he'd talked to girls before, but, had never actually hunted them. Homer wondered what the limit was if there was one. How many beavers can you have in your possession at one time? Is there a size limit? Are there different kinds of beavers?

California Living Museum, Kern County, California 2016

Oildale (Bakersfield) Standard School Auditorium (# 2439) I almost missed this building. I was headed out of Bakersfield, going through the Oildale area which is mainly older single-story businesses and residences, when I happened to notice this building that was quite elegant for the area. Turning around and coming back, not only was I amazed by the architecture, but also what seemed to be an odd name: “Standard School Auditorium.”

It was very hard to find information on this, particularly since I’m in the city of Bakersfield and used that in searching. The auditorium was built in 1937 with Public Works Administration funds and is still in use. Oildale was once a separate unincorporated area just north of Bakersfield, and apparently the school district is named Standard School District because Standard Oil donated the land for the first school of the district.

Sources:

<a href="https://kern.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/sites/4/2018/07/District-Origins-in-Kern-County-A1.pdf" rel="noreferrer nofollow">kern.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/sites/4/2018/07/Dis...</a>
<a href="https://www.standardschools.net/page/our-district" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.standardschools.net/page/our-district</a>

Oildale (Bakersfield) Standard School Auditorium gargoyle? (# 2440) A little more detail of the figures on the top of the building (see adjacent picture). They’re not quite gargoyles, but I couldn’t think of a better word since they look rather frightening. If you zoom in, you can see that they seem to have their hands on globes.

KCM / Chevron handmade redwood pump (# 2432) A handmade <u><a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=26118" rel="noreferrer nofollow">redwood pumping unit</a></u> made in 1979 for the museum by Chevron to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Standard Oil of California. Per the webpage it was salvaged from a pump that was still in use in the 1920’s.

<i>Use the Kern County Museum (KCM) tag to see all of the photographs from the museum.</i>

KCM / historic clock tower (# 2436) At the entrance to the museum, a reconstruction of an historic <u><a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=170346" rel="noreferrer nofollow">clock tower</a></u> that stood in downtown Bakersfield. The original clock tower, dedicated in 1904, was extensively damaged by the 1952 Kern County earthquake and aftershocks. This replica includes the original clock work, bell, iron stairway, railings and grill work.

The 1952 <u><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Kern_County_earthquake" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Kern County earthquake</a></u> which destroyed the tower, measured 7.3 and had many large (5+ on the scale) aftershocks that severely damaged Tehachapi, downtown Bakersfield, and multiple other small towns.

<i>Use the Kern County Museum (KCM) tag to see all of the photographs from the museum.</i>

KCM / Padre hotel missile (# 2426) The missile that was on the roof of the <u><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/donbrr/53426222444/">Padre Hotel</a></u> and pointed at City Hall…. See the <u><a href="https://kerncountymuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/KCM_Kern_Courier_Spring_2020.pdf" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Kern Courier</a></u> story.

<i>Use the Kern County Museum (KCM) tag to see all of the photographs from the museum.</i>

KCM / neon and oil hodgepodge (# 2427) Just an interesting mix of displays...

<i>Use the Kern County Museum (KCM) tag to see all of the photographs from the museum.</i>

View From Parking Lot 2015 04 20 01 Bakersfield, California 2015

KCM / shocking? electrifier (# 2421) Historic neon display for an electrician who will apparently shock you…..

<i>Use the Kern County Museum (KCM) tag to see all of the photographs from the museum.</i>

No elk available today Our first visit to Tule Elk Reserve State Natural Reserve was elk-free, but was a welcome break from I-5, and much preferred to the hectic rest stop nearby in Buttonwillow. We were the only visitors, and a helpful ranger guided us to a view of nesting Great Horned Owl near the visitor center.

Contact KERN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

KERN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PO BOX 141
BAKERSFIELD
CA
93302

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KERN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Information

MID #	8400602698
Name	KERN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Alternate Name
Classification	Historical Societies, Historic Preservation, , Western
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)	953465901
NTEECC
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM)	201206
INCOME	0
REVENUE	0
LAT/LONG	35.436725, -119.069202
CODES	FIPS State Code: 06 FIPS County Code: 029 US Census Tract: 000101 US Census Block: 5022