Bakersfield in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Vest Drug Store and Market

Photographed by Denise Boose, July 29, 2017

1. Vest Drug Store and Market Marker

Inscription. A three-alarm fire swept through the Fish Building in 1936, destroying a business that had stood at this site since 1890. The current structure, built in 1938 by local contractor Henry Eissler (1879-1966), was designed by local architect Charles H. Biggar (1882-1946) in the Public Works Administration Modern with Ribbon architectural style. Contructed with reinforced was designed to have five additional stories added when conditions warranted. The exterior is finished in architectural cement and satin aluminum trim with a marble surround at the base of the building. The home Vest Drug Store and Market since 1938, this location has been the heart of downtown since the city's founding.

Erected 2015 by Kern County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 35° 22.567′ N, 119° 1.142′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. It is on Chester Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1831 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Livermore and Chester Store (here, next to this marker); Arlington House (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Southern Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Weill's Department Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Bakersfield (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brock's Department Store (about 300 feet away); Kress Building (about 300 feet away); F.W. Woolworth Company Store (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

Photographed by Denise Boose, July 29, 2017

2. Vest Drug Store and Market Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 27, 2012

3. Vest Drug Store and Market Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 27, 2012

4. Vest Drug Store and Market Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, October 18, 2025

5. Vest Drug Store and Market Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,155 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5. submitted on October 18, 2025, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.