South Chester Line (Bakersfield and Kern Electric)
Encyclopedia
The South Chester Line was a line of the Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway
. The route originated at the intersection of 19th Street and Chester Avenue, and traveled south on Chester. At the southern end of the line, there was a loop around 8th Street, N Street, and 11th Street. The line was constructed in 1903, as part of the original expansion plan. It closed in 1939.
The line was originally single track, constructed with 36-pound rails. The line was constructed in conjunction with the Beale Memorial Clock Tower
(dedicated April 4, 1904) which resided at the intersection of 17th Street and Chester Avenue. In 1910, the company began plans to upgrade the line. With traffic concerns, the city council
voted to remove the clock tower. However, after public pressure, they reversed their decision.
In 1912, the entire line was upgraded to 87-pound rails. That same year, the section between 19th Street and 11th Street was double tracked. At the intersection of the clock tower, the rails were shifted to allow travel around it. In 1930, streetcars were operating every 15 minutes. However, revenue for the streetcar line was declining. On July 1, 1939, the line was abandoned and replaced with buses.
B&KE = Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway
Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway
The Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway was a streetcar company which operated between Bakersfield and Sumner , in California. Later, after Kern City was annexed by Bakersfield, the streetcar company operated completely in Bakersfield. The company was originally formed in 1887, under the name...
. The route originated at the intersection of 19th Street and Chester Avenue, and traveled south on Chester. At the southern end of the line, there was a loop around 8th Street, N Street, and 11th Street. The line was constructed in 1903, as part of the original expansion plan. It closed in 1939.
The line was originally single track, constructed with 36-pound rails. The line was constructed in conjunction with 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...
(dedicated April 4, 1904) which resided at the intersection of 17th Street and Chester Avenue. In 1910, the company began plans to upgrade the line. With traffic concerns, the city council
Bakersfield City Council
The Bakersfield City Council is the main governing body for Bakersfield, California. Under the council-manager form of government, the city council is the most powerful branch of government. It has seven members who represent seven wards...
voted to remove the clock tower. However, after public pressure, they reversed their decision.
In 1912, the entire line was upgraded to 87-pound rails. That same year, the section between 19th Street and 11th Street was double tracked. At the intersection of the clock tower, the rails were shifted to allow travel around it. In 1930, streetcars were operating every 15 minutes. However, revenue for the streetcar line was declining. On July 1, 1939, the line was abandoned and replaced with buses.
Connections
- Santa Fe and Southern Pacific LineSanta Fe and Southern Pacific Line (Bakersfield and Kern Electric)The Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Line was the main line of the Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway. It operated between the Santa Fe Bakersfield Station and the Southern Pacific Bakersfield Station . It was the first line in the system, constructed in 1888...
(B&KE)
B&KE = Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway