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

Sentry Statues and Gate Posts

Photographed by Denise Boose, December 2, 2023

1. Sentry Statues and Gate Posts Marker

Inscription.
The decorative fence posts are from the original 1876 courthouse and the statues were on top of the 1912 courthouse.

Bakersfield's first courthouse was constructed in 1876 and the building served as a courthouse and hall of records on the corner of Chester and Truxtun Avenue.

In 1912 the county sold the old courthouse to the City of Bakersfield to use as its city hall when a new courthouse was constructed across the street. Both the old and new courthouses were damaged in the 1952 earthquake and demolished.

Following the earthquake, the Kern County Museum acquired the fencing from the original 1876 courthouse and the sentry statues that were atop the 1912 courthouse.

Erected by Kern County Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 35° 23.59′ N, 119° 1.317′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. It is on Chester Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3801 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: Dust Bowl Housing Units (within shouting distance of this marker); Havilah Courier

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Standard End Pumping Unit (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint John's Episcopal Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Cook Wagon (within shouting distance of this marker); Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); B.H.S. Water Tower (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

More about this marker. The marker is on the grounds of the Kern County Museum.

Sentry Statues and Gate Posts and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, December 2, 2023

2. Sentry Statues and Gate Posts and Marker

Sentry Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, December 2, 2023

3. Sentry Statue

Marker detail: Kern County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

4. Marker detail: Kern County Courthouse

Marker detail: New Courthouse built in 1912 across the street from the original courthouse. image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: New Courthouse built in 1912 across the street from the original courthouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2023, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 3, 2023, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.