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

Undertaker's Office

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

1. Undertaker's Office Marker

Inscription.
Life in the mid 1800s was difficult. The average age of death in the United States of America was around 40 years old. Disease, accidents and hard work took its toll on people lives.

This exhibit displays artifacts, dating from the 1890s to the 1920s, utilized in an undertaker’s office to prepare a body for burial.

This building, constructed at Kern River Park, now known as Hart Memorial Park, housed park employees and visitors. The Kern County Board of Supervisors purchased the land for the park in 1921.

Erected by Kern County Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 35° 23.598′ N, 119° 1.219′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from Chester Avenue. Marker is located at the southwest corner 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Land Office (a few steps from this marker); Kern County Begins (a few steps from this marker); General Store (a few steps from this marker); Standard School

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Lόpez-Hill House (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Fellows (within shouting distance of this marker); Howell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Adobe House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

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

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

2. Undertaker's Office and Marker

Photos Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Jake Niederaur’s store and undertaker shop located at 19th and K Street in 1880

Lower Photo:
Hopson Mortuary embalming room, circa 1925

4. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Kern River Park in 1929

Lower Photo:
Kern River Park employee housing, circa 1946

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,739 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.