Timeline of Bakersfield, California facts for kids

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Bakersfield, California, USA.

Prior to 20th century

• 1873 – City of Bakersfield incorporated.
• 1888 – Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway begins operating.
• 1889
  • July 7: Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889.
  • Oil discovered.
  • Bakersfield (Southern Pacific station) opens.

20th century

• 1904 – Beale Memorial Clock Tower built.
• 1907 – The Bakersfield Californian newspaper in publication.
• 1910 – Kern becomes part of Bakersfield.
• 1921 – Central Park established.
• 1928 – Kern County Chamber of Commerce Building and Padre Hotel constructed.
• 1929 – Hart Park opens.
• 1930 – Fox Theater in business.
• 1945 – Kern County Museum opens.
• 1952 –
  • July 21 – The 7.3 M_w Kern County earthquake affected the southern San Joaquin Valley with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), killing 12 and injuring hundreds in the region.
  • August 22 – A 5.8 M_w aftershock affected Bakersfield with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), killing two and causing an additional $10 million in damage.
• 1954 – Bakersfield City Hall built.
• 1955 – Memorial Stadium opens.
• 1961 – Sister city relationship established with Wakayama, Japan.
• 1962 – Bakersfield News Bulletin begins publication.
• 1963 – Crest Drive-In cinema in business.
• 1964 – Goodwill thrift shop in business.
• 1965 – Community Action Partnership of Kern established.[1]
• 1976 – Bakersfield Department of Water Resources established.
• 1977
  • December: Great Bakersfield Dust Storm of 1977.
  • Mesa Marin Raceway opens.
• 1980 – California Living Museum (zoo) founded.
• 1983 – County Food Bank established.[2]
• 1990
  • Hindu Temple of Kern County founded.[3]
  • Population: 174,820.
• 1996 – Buck Owens Crystal Palace (music hall) opens.
• 2000
  • Bakersfield (Amtrak station) opens.
  • Population: 247,057.

21st century

• 2001 – Harvey Hall becomes mayor.
• 2006 – River Walk Park opens.
• 2007
  • Kern Veterans Memorial unveiled.
  • Kevin McCarthy becomes U.S. representative for California's 22nd congressional district.
• 2009
  • Mill Creek linear park opens.
  • Bakersfield 16 Cinema in business.
• 2013 – Kern County Raceway Park opens.