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

Doctor's Office

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

1. Doctor's Office Marker

Inscription.
Until modern medicine, contagious diseases afflicted both young and old and many died at a young age.

In 1875, there were fifteen physicians in Kern County, which had a widely scattered population of approximately 2,700 people. These fifteen doctors and the many that followed could be summoned day or night, during floods and storms, to the bedside of those in need.

There were many times when all a doctor could do for the suffering patient was to relieve pain, bind up wounds, splint broken bones, perform minor surgical procedures, and on occasion, comfort the dying.

H.L. “Jack” Goforth donated this building in 1957. It may have originally been a residence near the town of McKittrick in western Kern County.

Erected by Kern County Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 35° 23.56′ N, 119° 1.256′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from Chester Avenue. Marker is located at the east end of the Bandstand Green section of Pioneer Village 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.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Miller and Lux Survey Office (here, next to this marker); Drug Store (a few steps from this marker); Bandstand (a few steps from this marker); Wells, Fargo & Company Express Office (a few steps from this marker); The Caretta Bar (a few steps from this marker); Dentist's Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Fraternal Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Photographer’s Studio (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

Doctor's Office and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

2. Doctor's Office and Marker

Photos Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Dr. Belle Lee with her husband Charles, circa 1900.
Lee was an early medical doctor in Kern County

Lower Photo:
Dr. Lewis Stiles Rogers’ office near 18th Street and Chester Avenue, circa 1875.

4. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Dr. Homer Rogers (left) and Dr. Charles A. Rogers (right) in their office in Bakersfield, circa 1910.

Lower Photo:
Dr. Charles A. Rogers in his office in Bakersfield, circa 1900.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,313 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 27, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.