Bakersfield in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Beale Memorial Clock Tower
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 26, 2009
1. Beale Memorial Clock Tower Marker
Inscription.
Beale Memorial Clock Tower. . , The Beale Memorial Clock Tower was a gift to the City of Bakersfield from Truxtun Beale in memory of his mother, Mary Edwards Beale., Dedicated on April 2, 1904, the clock tower originally stood in the center of the intersection at Chester Avenue and 17th Street in downtown Bakersfield., In the summer of 1952, a series of earthquakes shook Kern County causing extensive damage to the clock tower. The clock tower was demolished in the quake’s aftermath. Only the original clock works, bell, iron stairway, balcony railings and arch grillwork were saved., In 1961, a group of local citizens formed the Beale Memorial Clock Tower Restoration Committee to build a replica of the clock tower. The original pieces of the clock tower were incorporated into the rising masonry. The reconstructed clock tower was dedicated at the Kern County Museum on December 13, 1964., [photo captions follow:], Mary Edwards Beale, circa 1876., Beale Memorial Clock Tower, circa 1915., Truxton Beale was a lawyer, owner of the Tejon Ranch and served as a United States Minister to foreign nations, circa 1930., Beale Memorial Clock Tower demolition after a series of earthquakes in 1952.
The Beale Memorial Clock Tower was a gift to the City of Bakersfield from Truxtun Beale in memory of his mother, Mary Edwards Beale.
Dedicated on April 2, 1904, the clock tower originally stood in the center of the intersection at Chester Avenue and 17th Street in downtown Bakersfield.
In the summer of 1952, a series of earthquakes shook Kern County causing extensive damage to the clock tower. The clock tower was demolished in the quake’s aftermath. Only the original clock works, bell, iron stairway, balcony railings and arch grillwork were saved.
In 1961, a group of local citizens formed the Beale Memorial Clock Tower Restoration Committee to build a replica of the clock tower. The original pieces of the clock tower were incorporated into the rising masonry. The reconstructed clock tower was dedicated at the Kern County Museum on December 13, 1964.
[photo captions follow:]
Mary Edwards Beale, circa 1876.
Beale Memorial Clock Tower, circa 1915.
Truxton Beale was a lawyer, owner of the Tejon Ranch and served as a United States Minister to foreign nations, circa 1930.
Beale Memorial Clock Tower demolition after a series of earthquakes in 1952.
Erected by The Kern County Museum.
Topics. This historical
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marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1812.
Location. 35° 23.585′ N, 119° 1.149′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. Marker can be reached from Chester Avenue. Marker is located at the base of the Beale Memorial Clock Tower at the Kern County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Marker is located on the back side of the Tower. Plaque (see photo #9) is seen at the southeast corner.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 21, 2009
3. Beale Memorial Clock Tower
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 26, 2009
4. Beale Memorial Clock
5. Photo Displayed on Marker
Mary Edwards Beale
circa 1876
6. Photo Displayed on Marker
Truxten Beale was a lawyer, owner of the Tejon Ranch and served as a United States Minister to foreign nations, circa 1930.
7. Photo Displayed on Marker
Beale Memorial Clock Tower, circa 1915
8. Photo Displayed on Marker
Beale Memorial Clock Tower demolition after a series of earthquakes in 1952.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 26, 2009
9. Beale Memorial Clock Tower
-In-Memory-Of-
Mary-Edwards-Beale
Erected-By
Her-Children
-A 1903 D-
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 26, 2009
10. Plaque Mounted on Clock Tower
Beale Memorial Clock Tower
This structure is a full-scale replica of the original tower built in 1904 which was destroyed by the 1952 earthquake. The original tower was at the intersection of Chester Avenue and Seventeenth Street, south of this site.
Reconstruction was made possible by public donations. Listed below are the names of individuals and firms who have contributed $100.00 or more in money, materials, labor or services to the restoration project.
[List of Donors]
Restoration Committee
[Names - Restoration Committee]
Dedicated December 13, 1964 to the County of Kern
Photographed By Western Publishing & Novelty Co., Los Angeles, Ca
11. Beale Clock Tower
This postcard image shows the clock tower at its original location.
Description on Postcard-Front:
Famous Clock Tower and El Tajon Hotel, Bakersfield, California
Description on Postcard-Back:
This famous tower was a gift to the city of Bakersfield by Truxton Beale - who had it erected in memory of his mother Mary Edward Beale - and was dedicated April 2nd, 1904.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,764 times since then and 108 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on November 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 11. submitted on December 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.