Bena, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bena
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 Bena
Location in California
Bena
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Kern County |
| Elevation | 863 ft (263 m) |
Bena is a small, unincorporated area located in Kern County, California. This means it's a community that isn't officially a city or town, but it still has people living and working there. Bena is found about 7 miles (11 km) west-northwest of a place called Caliente. It sits at an elevation of 863 feet (263 meters) above sea level. For a short time, from 1889 to 1890 and again in 1901, Bena was known as Pampa and even had its own post office.
Contents
Bena's Railroad Story
Bena has an interesting past, especially when it comes to railroads. Trains were a very important way to travel and move goods across the country many years ago.
Early Railroad Station
The first railroad station in Bena was built way back in 1885. This station was a key stop along the Union Pacific Railroad line. It helped connect people and businesses in the area.
Homes for Railroad Workers
As the railroad grew, more people were needed to keep it running. In 1918, a company called Standard Construction built four houses near Bena. These homes were for the people who worked for the Southern Pacific railroad, helping them live close to their jobs.
A New Purpose for the Old Station
Over time, the old Bena railroad station found a new purpose. In 1962, the site of the station became home to a very large factory. This factory made a special kind of fertilizer called superphosphate. It was the biggest factory of its kind west of the Mississippi River.
The Bena Depot's New Home
The old Bena depot, which was once located near the famous Tehachapi Loop (a cool spiral railroad track), was given to the Kern Pioneer Village in 1961. This was a gift from the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads. The Kern County Museum later took on the job of restoring the depot. By 2020, the Bena Depot was fully restored, looking just like it did many years ago. It's now a piece of history that people can visit and learn from.
Looking for Oil and Managing Waste
The area around Bena has also been important for other activities, like searching for natural resources and managing waste.
Searching for Oil
In the 1930s and 1940s, people started looking for oil near Bena. This was called "wildcat drilling." It meant drilling in places where no oil had been found before, hoping to strike it rich!
The Bena Landfill
Today, Kern County operates a landfill in Bena. A landfill is a place where trash and waste are taken and buried safely. It's an important part of managing waste for the county.
