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

Fraternal Hall

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

1. Fraternal Hall Marker

Inscription.
To entertain men seeking their fortunes in mining boom towns, social clubs and fraternal organizations held meetings and offered other diversions in Kern County’s mining communities.

The exhibits on display in this building contain artifacts from various fraternal organizations in Kern County. The upstairs portion of this building is refurbished as a Masonic Lodge Hall with the cooperation of local organizations. The cubicles on the lower floor house exhibit regalia from Elks, Moose, Knights of Columbus and other local lodges.

Violet Caldwell and Harry Chamberlain donated this structure, originally a two-story farm house located southwest of Bakersfield near Old River, to the museum in 1961.

Erected by Kern County Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.

Location. 35° 23.574′ N, 119° 1.256′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from Chester Avenue. Marker is located in the 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. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker: Dentist's Office (here, next to this marker); Kern Valley Bank (a few steps from this marker); Bandstand (a few steps from this marker); Court House and Jail (a few steps from this marker); Doctor's Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Fellows (within shouting distance of this marker); Assay Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Miller and Lux Survey Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

Fraternal Hall and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

2. Fraternal Hall and Marker

Photos Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Yellow Aster Miner’s Hall, circa 1910

Lower Photo:
Farm house in Old River in 1961

4. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Knights Templar, circa 1941

Lower Photo:
Moving the house to the museum in 1961

Early Photo of the Fraternal Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kern County Museum

5. Early Photo of the Fraternal Hall

This vintage postcard image shows an earlier museum presentation of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,604 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on December 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.