Kern County Chamber of Commerce Building
Encyclopedia
The Kern County Chamber of Commerce Building is a historic building in Bakersfield
, California
. It is located adjacent to Sam Lynn Ballpark
and the Beale Memorial Clock Tower
. It is a part of the Kern County Museum
. The building is considered on of the best surviving example of architecture designed by Charles H. Biggar. It is a combination of three architectural styles: Beaux Arts, Mission Revival
, and Arts and Crafts
. It is listed in the Bakersfield Register of Historic Places (should not be confused with the National Register of Historic Places), which is a local register of historic locations.
(Golden State Highway), the main highway connecting northern and southern California. In addition, the location was also adjacent to the Kern County Fairgrounds.
The building was designed by Charles H. Biggar in 1927. The building would be completed in 1928. The official opening was not until September 29, 1929, one year later.
In 1945, the Kern County Museum would open. It would utilize a small portion of the Chamber of Commerce building. The museum would become very popular, and the amount of artifacts on display would continue to increase. By 1952, the museum was large enough that the Chamber of Commerce would move out of the building to a location in downtown
. The museum would occupy the rest of the space. The structure was also converted to the museums needs. This would include covering the windows into the main hall, and covering the "Kern County Chamber of Commerce" entrance signs with "Kern County Museum" and the construction of a mezzanine.
In 2010, the building would undergo a major restoration effort. The goal was to restore the building to its original condition in 1928. The mezzanine was removed and the underlying paint was used to match the original color. The florescent lighting would be replaced with chandeliers. The windows would be reopened and museum sign would be removed. In addition, the building exterior would return to the original multi color paint scheme (at some point the build was painted completely white). The exhibits inside would be removed and relocated to other parts of the museum. The hall is now rented for events.
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 adjacent to Sam Lynn Ballpark
Sam Lynn Ballpark
Sam Lynn Ballpark is a baseball venue located in Bakersfield, California and is the oldest ballpark of the Class-A Advanced California League. It was built in 1941 for the Bakersfield Badgers who began that season as a charter member of the California League...
and 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...
. It is a part of the Kern County Museum
Kern County Museum
The Kern County Museum is a history museum located in Bakersfield, California. Its main focus is the history of Kern County . One of the prominent features is Pioneer Village. Located on , it contains over 50 original buildings from around the county, related to life in the late 19th century...
. The building is considered on of the best surviving example of architecture designed by Charles H. Biggar. It is a combination of three architectural styles: Beaux Arts, Mission Revival
Mission Revival Style architecture
The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
, and Arts and Crafts
. It is listed in the Bakersfield Register of Historic Places (should not be confused with the National Register of Historic Places), which is a local register of historic locations.
History
In the mid 1920's, Kern County decided to build a structure that would showcase both products, and innovations from the county. Although, it would be the headquarters of the Kern County Chamber of Commerce, the building would be constructed by the county government. A site the on Chester Avenue near the Kern River, which the County already owned, was selected. It's location was chosen, in part, for two primary reasons. Chester Avenue was the route for U.S. Route 99U.S. Route 99
U.S. Route 99 was the main north–south highway on the West Coast of the United States until 1964, running from Calexico, California, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Blaine, Washington, on the U.S.-Canada border. It was a route of the United States Numbered Highways, assigned in 1926 and existing...
(Golden State Highway), the main highway connecting northern and southern California. In addition, the location was also adjacent to the Kern County Fairgrounds.
The building was designed by Charles H. Biggar in 1927. The building would be completed in 1928. The official opening was not until September 29, 1929, one year later.
In 1945, the Kern County Museum would open. It would utilize a small portion of the Chamber of Commerce building. The museum would become very popular, and the amount of artifacts on display would continue to increase. By 1952, the museum was large enough that the Chamber of Commerce would move out of the building to a location in 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 museum would occupy the rest of the space. The structure was also converted to the museums needs. This would include covering the windows into the main hall, and covering the "Kern County Chamber of Commerce" entrance signs with "Kern County Museum" and the construction of a mezzanine.
In 2010, the building would undergo a major restoration effort. The goal was to restore the building to its original condition in 1928. The mezzanine was removed and the underlying paint was used to match the original color. The florescent lighting would be replaced with chandeliers. The windows would be reopened and museum sign would be removed. In addition, the building exterior would return to the original multi color paint scheme (at some point the build was painted completely white). The exhibits inside would be removed and relocated to other parts of the museum. The hall is now rented for events.