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.
• 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.

21st century

• 2000
  • Bakersfield (Amtrak station) opens.
  • Population: 247,057.
• 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.