Mini History Lesson

Back in the days when the Yokut Indians were mashing acorns and weaving baskets, as the Kern River exited the canyon it formed a delta. Some streams flowed north toward Tulare while the remainder followed east toward lake Buena Vista. The Indians called the area Woilu. When the white settlers came they began to build on the land between the river and one of the streams. They called the area Kern Island. When Colonel Baker arrived, he built his home on the corner of 19th and N Street. In order to help people traveling in the valley, the Colonel planted several acres of alpha to feed horses. Baker’s field covered the area of what is now M and P streets. In 1869, according to the book Bakersfield: A Centennial Portrait “One of the Jewett brothers – either Philo or Solomon – suggested the name “Bakersfield,” which had already settled informally on the community.”

In 1873, one year after Baker died, Bakersfield became the first city in Kern County.