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

Railroad Scale House and Telephone Booth

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

1. Railroad Scale House and Telephone Booth Marker

Inscription.
Railroad yards are highly specialized facilities consisting of engine maintenance buildings, fueling areas, track and switching areas and material storage yards.

This scale house was used in the Santa Fe Railroad switchyard in Bakersfield. A scale located adjacent to the building weighed train cars to determine the amount of freight and total weight of a train. Railroads charged a fee to haul freight based on weight. Knowing the total weight of a train was necessary to ensure a locomotive could safely move cars along the track.

This circular concrete telephone booth was located along the Southern Pacific Railroad crossing at Chester Avenue near 34th Street. Railroad telephone booths were found at stragetic locations, such as spurs, siding switches and road crossings.

Santa Fe Railroad donated the scale house in 1963. Southern Pacific Railroad donated the concrete telephone booth in 1977.

Erected by Kern County Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. 35° 23.528′ N, 119° 1.248′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. Marker can be reached from Chester Avenue. Marker is located at the southern end 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Barn (a few steps from this marker); Southern Pacific Railroad Jail

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Fe Caboose #1323 (within shouting distance of this marker); Weller House (within shouting distance of this marker); Photographer’s Studio (within shouting distance of this marker); Southern Pacific Engine #2914 (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheepherder's Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Pinkney House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

Also see . . . Santa Fe Railroad Scale Houses. A photo gallery of scale houses used by the Santa Fe Railroad. (Submitted on December 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Railroad Scale House and Telephone Booth image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

2. Railroad Scale House and Telephone Booth

The telephone booth can be seen behind the marker.

Photos Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
The Santa Fe Railroad Yard Control Tower in 1948.

Lower Photo:
The Santa Fe Railroad yard and roundhouse in Bakersfield in 1946.

Photographed By Syd Whittle

4. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
A railroad telephone booth located near the Edison Depot, circa 1945

Lower Photo:
A Southern Pacific telephone booth located adjacent to the tracks in 1948.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,100 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 19, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.