Bakersfield

Bakersfield
Bakersfield is one of the largest cities of the state of California in United States. It is located at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County. It is really one of those cities, which are growing at a faster pace, in terms of population and size.

The basic economic structure is based on agriculture, petroleum extraction and refining, and manufacturing. Bakersfield is considered to be the 11th fastest growing city in the United States with a population of over 100,000.

The historical details of the area suggest that the Yokuts Indians were the first people, who had settled in the San Joaquin Valley, almost 8,000 years ago.

Father Francisco Garces, the Spanish missionary had been the first European to explore the area, in the year of 1776. Later in the year of 1851, the place had an increased level of popularity, due to the discovery of gold in the Kern River in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The oil fields were discovered in the year of 1865. The area had been a subject to great floods from the Kern River delta, which occupied what is now the downtown area.

The original name given to the area was Kern Island, by a group of people building log cabins in the year of 1860. Later the name was changed to Bakersfield, at the founding ceremony in 1869, in honor of Colonel Thomas Baker, who had moved to the area in 1863.

There was a great level of migration from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Southern California, to bring in the new residents. The main attraction of the town was the oil industry. The city of Bakersfield had been struck by a great earthquake on July 21, 1952.

The earthquake, which was felt from San Francisco to the Mexican border, destroyed the nearby communities of Tehachapi and Arvin. The earthquake was really destructive, when it had bent cotton fields into U shapes, collapsed a water tower creating a flash flood, and destroyed the railroad tunnels in the mountain chain Bakersfield.

There are many of Bakersfield's old and historic restaurants like Basque, Woolgrowers, Maitia's, Noriega's, and many others. There is a famous Kern County Museum, which is located on Chester Avenue having a wide range collection of regional artifacts.

The Lori Brock Children's Discovery Museum, a hands-on children's museum and a display on the influential Bakersfield Sound style of country music.

There are many festive activities held here in the spring season. Bakersfield has been a host of one of California's Scottish Games and Clan Gathering. There is an annual Greek Festival, being held in the late summer, on the grounds of St. George's Greek Orthodox Church.

There is another major occasion of Memorial Day for the hosting of the Kern County Basque Festival, due to its sponsorship by the Kern County Basque Club. There is a 3 day festival featuring food, music, dance, and handball games.

There is a nostalgia drag racing event, held under the supervision of Auto Club Famoso Raceway. The event dates back to the U.S. Fuel and Gas Finals held in March 1959. The CSUB Indigenous Native American Club holds Native Gathering on the California State University Bakersfield, twice a year.

There is a chance to see the minute details of the Native American culture here. Bakersfield also hosts the annual Kern County Fair, highlighting the agricultural products along with the entertaining concerts and hosting a small carnival.