Bakersfield in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Dust Bowl Housing Units
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 4, 2021
1. Dust Bowl Housing Units Marker
In the 1930s, more than half of a million Americans fled the Southwestern part of the United States due to the prolonged drought called the Dust Bowl.
Traveling in old cars with just basic necessities, the migrants came primarily from Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas to the West Coast in search of work. Kern County was one of the main migrant entry points. As portrayed in the novel The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, very quickly a humanitarian crisis developed. In response, two Farm Security Administration camps were built in Kern County to provide housing, food, medical care and education. The North Shafter Farm Labor Camp opened in 1937 and the Arvin Camp opened soon after. Susan Grisham donated the wooden housing unit from the Shafter Camp and Steve Cox donated the metal unit from the Arvin Camp to the Kern County Museum.
Erected by Kern County Musuem, Ellen Baker Tracy Guild.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Disasters • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 35° 23.584′ N, 119° 1.332′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from Chester Avenue just north of 36th
this page online
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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cook Wagon (a few steps from this marker); B.H.S. Water Tower (a few steps from this marker); Sentry Statues and Gate Posts (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint John's Episcopal Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Havilah Courier (within shouting distance of this marker); Norris School (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 4, 2021
2. Dust Bowl Housing Units and Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 4, 2021
3. Wooden Housing Unit
Susan Grisham donated the Wooden Housing Unit from the Shafter Camp.
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 4, 2021
4. Metal Housing Unit
Steve Cox donated the metal unit from the Arvin Camp, which is in Weedpatch.
Photographed by Denise Boose, February 4, 2021
5. An older vehicle at the site
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2021, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 906 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on February 18, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 13, 2021, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
