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Historic Preservation

 “This is God’s Country.  Here at last I have found a resting place and here I expect to lay my bones.”
Colonel Thomas Baker – 1862

The Historic Preservation Commission is the group of citizens appointed by the City Council with special expertise and interest in historic preservation.  

Its mission is to provide for the identification, protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of buildings, sites, places and areas within Bakersfield that reflect special elements of the City's architectural, artistic, cultural, engineering, aesthetic, historical, political, social and other heritage.

 

 

Historic Preservation 

Historic can be a district, site, building, structure or object that is significant in American history, architecture, engineering, archaeology, or culture at the national, state, or local level.  Preservation is the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of a historic property.
Historic preservation aims at linking a community's past to its present. Historic preservation does not mean the simple restoration of old buildings but establishes a sense of permanence and continuity by defining the community's unique cultural inheritance.

Howell HouseHistoric Bakersfield Map.
View Bakersfield's historic sites in this virtual photo tour. Some sites included in this application are found on the National, State, and Bakersfield Historical Registers.

Participating 

By protecting and enhancing a city's heritage, historic preservation ensures that future generations will see and experience the legacy left behind by past generations. They will see around them the hand of many builders, artisans, and architects, and feel the connection to people and events of the past.

Bakersfield is fortunate to have several preservation groups, including the City Council- appointed Historic Preservation Commission, the Kern County Museum, Kern County Historical Society, and Oleander Sunset Park group, all of whom can offer advice or direction.  Rehabilitation of historic buildings can be exciting and fun.  Local people involved in this process can be the best resource for up-to-date information – from how to remove paint from wood beamed ceilings to who is an appropriate contact person for local financing programs.

Application for Area of Historic Places, Cultural Resource, or Historic District Designation 

Application form
Current List of Historic Designated Sites

Historic Preservation Commission Business

Regular meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. Meeting Location: 1715 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, Large First Floor Conference Room. Meeting Minutes and Agendas

Phone: (661) 326-3765   Email: hpcbakersfield@bakersfieldcity.us 

Check City Events and Meeting Calendar for HPC meeting status and updates. 

Tours, Documents, Reports, and Surveys