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

Havilah Courier

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

1. Havilah Courier Marker

Inscription.
Newspapers brought news of wars, politics, local happenings and other important information to the residents of Kern County.

This exhibit displays artifacts reminiscent of Kern County’s first newspaper office, the Weekly Courier. George Tiffany first published the Weekly Courier beginning on August 18, 1866 in the county seat of Havilah.

The remnants of the mining boom town, Havilah, is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains between the Kern River Valley and Walker Basin approximately 45 miles northeast of Bakersfield.

Richard and Samuel Schrader donated this building originally located on Taft Highway near the Buena Vista Golf Course in 1957.

Erected by Kern County Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 35° 23.578′ N, 119° 1.306′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. Marker can be reached from Chester Avenue. Marker is located at the western 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Saint John's Episcopal Mission (a few steps from

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this marker); Norris School (within shouting distance of this marker); Sentry Statues and Gate Posts (within shouting distance of this marker); Standard End Pumping Unit (within shouting distance of this marker); Cook Wagon (within shouting distance of this marker); Weill House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dust Bowl Housing Units (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

Additional commentary.
1. Asbury Harpending, Jr.
Although my great-grandfather died well before I was born in 1937, he was present always in our household, through stories of his daughter, my great-aunt Genevieve, and my father who was 9 when he died. I passed through Havilah around 1990, on a quiet Sunday, and remember seeing a marker there, perhaps this one. Thanks for the reminder. You can see some photos of various Harpendings here:
Best wishes,
Ron Pavellas
Stockholm
http://pavellas.com

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

2. Havilah Courier Building and Marker
— Submitted January 1, 2010, by Ron Pavellas of Stockholm, Sweden.

Photos Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
In 1864, Asbury Harpending named the town of Havilah

Lower Photo:
Havila, circa 1874

4. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
George Tiffany, publisher of the Weekly Courier, circa 1865

Lower Photo:
Havilah, circa 1910

Havilah Courier Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

5. Havilah Courier Building

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,237 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 1, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.