Bakersfield Sign
Encyclopedia
The Bakersfield Sign is one of the more recognizable landmarks in Bakersfield
, California
. It is located over Sillect Avenue, where the street intersects with Buck Owens Blvd. (to the northwest of downtown
). The sign can be seen from state route 99
(Golden State Freeway), and is just past the freeway off-ramp. It is also next to the Buck Owens Crystal Palace
.
This sign is a yellow arch, in which blue letters spell out the name of the city. It is supported by two towers, which were inspired by the Beale Memorial Clock Tower
design. The sign is illuminated by indirect lighting. Typically the letters are transparent and the lights, which are underneath the letters, shines through them. With indirect lighting, the letters are solid and the light, which is still underneath the letters, shines down onto the arch. The result is the letters appear black on top of a lighted backdrop. In this case, the light used is green.
. During that time period, the Bakersfield Inn wanted to expand across the street. The sign was constructed as a foot bridge to connect the two halves of the hotel.
The construction of the sign also served another purpose. Most of the central valley communities along US 99 had an arched sign spanning the highway, to welcome drivers to the towns and cities they were entering. The Bakersfield sign became the arched sign for the city.
By the late 90’s, the sign had fallen into a state of disrepair. The Bakersfield Inn had closed down and no one was maintaining the sign. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
, fearing the sign could collapse onto the road, wanted to remove it. It would have been destroyed except for Buck Owens. He renovated the sign and moved it to Sillect Avenue, next to the Buck Owens Crystal Palace. The renovation occurred in 1999 on the 50th anniversary of its original construction. The project cost Buck Owens more than $175,000. Unfortunately, the old sign had fallen to such a state of disrepair, that the only components that could be saved were the blue porcelain letters. By moving the sign, it was again visible to the important Golden State Highway route, which was now the Golden State Freeway (state route 99, located next to Oak St/Buck Owens Blvd).
Some more notable depictions of the Bakersfield Sign include:
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is located over Sillect Avenue, where the street intersects with Buck Owens Blvd. (to the northwest of downtown
Downtown Bakersfield
Downtown in the central business district for Bakersfield, California. Located in the heart of the city, it is easily accessible from all its other parts. It is also reemerging as the center of Bakersfield’s arts, culture and entertainment sectors...
). The sign can be seen from state route 99
California State Route 99
California State Route 99 , commonly known as Highway 99 or, simply, as 99 , is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California, stretching almost the entire length of the Central Valley...
(Golden State Freeway), and is just past the freeway off-ramp. It is also next to the Buck Owens Crystal Palace
Buck Owens Crystal Palace
Buck Owens Crystal Palace is a music hall located in Bakersfield, California. It was constructed by Buck Owens, and was opened in 1996. Primarily it is a performance venue for country western music, although other music genres have been heard there...
.
This sign is a yellow arch, in which blue letters spell out the name of the city. It is supported by two towers, which were inspired by the Beale Memorial Clock Tower
Beale Memorial Clock Tower
Beale Memorial Clock Tower is a clock tower located in Bakersfield, California. It was a gift to the city; built by Truxtun Beale in memory of his mother, Mary Edwards Beale. It was dedicated on April 4, 1904, and was built in the middle of the intersection of 17th St. and Chester Ave. When he was...
design. The sign is illuminated by indirect lighting. Typically the letters are transparent and the lights, which are underneath the letters, shines through them. With indirect lighting, the letters are solid and the light, which is still underneath the letters, shines down onto the arch. The result is the letters appear black on top of a lighted backdrop. In this case, the light used is green.
History
The sign was originally constructed in 1949, and was located over Union Ave, just south of California Ave. That road was apart of the Golden State Highway (US 99) which was the main connector between northern and southern California through the San Joaquin ValleySan Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
. During that time period, the Bakersfield Inn wanted to expand across the street. The sign was constructed as a foot bridge to connect the two halves of the hotel.
The construction of the sign also served another purpose. Most of the central valley communities along US 99 had an arched sign spanning the highway, to welcome drivers to the towns and cities they were entering. The Bakersfield sign became the arched sign for the city.
By the late 90’s, the sign had fallen into a state of disrepair. The Bakersfield Inn had closed down and no one was maintaining the sign. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
California Department of Transportation
The California Department of Transportation is a government department in the U.S. state of California. Its mission is to improve mobility across the state. It manages the state highway system and is actively involved with public transportation systems throughout the state...
, fearing the sign could collapse onto the road, wanted to remove it. It would have been destroyed except for Buck Owens. He renovated the sign and moved it to Sillect Avenue, next to the Buck Owens Crystal Palace. The renovation occurred in 1999 on the 50th anniversary of its original construction. The project cost Buck Owens more than $175,000. Unfortunately, the old sign had fallen to such a state of disrepair, that the only components that could be saved were the blue porcelain letters. By moving the sign, it was again visible to the important Golden State Highway route, which was now the Golden State Freeway (state route 99, located next to Oak St/Buck Owens Blvd).
Depictions in other medium
The Bakersfield sign has become a popular icon. It has been used in local TV and newspaper ads, company and government websites, as well as some book covers. Local artist also depict it in paintings and other art mediums.Some more notable depictions of the Bakersfield Sign include:
- As part of a mural in the lobby of Reading Cinema, at Valley Plaza MallValley Plaza MallThe Valley Plaza Mall is a major retail shopping mall in Bakersfield, California. It is the largest mall in the San Joaquin Valley. The mall is owned by General Growth Properties, a real estate development of over 200 regional shopping malls around the United States. Valley Plaza Mall has 5 anchor...
.
- As part of the 2011 ECHLECHLThe ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
All-Star Game logo, which Bakersfield will be host to. The design features a condor (which represents the Bakersfield CondorsBakersfield CondorsThe Bakersfield Condors are a minor league ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California. The team plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Condors join the Houston Aeros as an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League...
) grasping the Bakersfield Sign.