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

Blacksmith Shop

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

1. Blacksmith Shop Marker

Inscription.
Many large farms and ranches throughout Kern County operated a blacksmith shop to make and repair tools.

This blacksmith shop was built at the Calloway Ranch around 1890. The Calloway Ranch was located near the Kern County Land Company’s Rosedale Colony northwest of Bakersfield.

Many trades were practiced in a ranch’s blacksmith shop. Blacksmiths shaped metal using various tools including a forge, hammer, anvil, tongs and a vise. Farriers affixed metal shoes to the bottom of horses’ hooves. Wheelwrights made and repaired buggy and wagon wheels.

The Kern County Land Company donated this structure to the museum in 1950.

Erected by Kern County Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 35° 23.569′ N, 119° 1.332′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. It is on Chester Avenue. Marker is located at the rear of 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 walking distance of this marker: Cook Wagon (a few steps from this marker); Saint John's Episcopal Mission (a few steps from this marker);

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Dust Bowl Housing Units (within shouting distance of this marker); Norris School (within shouting distance of this marker); B.H.S. Water Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beardsley Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Havilah Courier (within shouting distance of this marker); Sentry Statues and Gate Posts (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Article. The history of the blacksmith shop is given along with several photos. (Submitted on January 29, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Blacksmith Shop and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

2. Blacksmith Shop and Marker

Photos Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Brandt’s Blacksmith Shop, circa 1900

Lower Photo:
C. N. Johnston’s Blacksmith Shop, circa 1915

4. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Ideal Blacksmith Shop, circa 1910.

Lower Photo:
Moving the Calloway Ranch Blacksmith Shop to the museum in 1950.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,454 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 29, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.