Timeline of Bakersfield, California

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Bakersfield, California, USA.

Prior to 20th century

 * 1873 – City of Bakersfield incorporated.
 * 1888 – Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway begins operating.
 * 1889
 * July 7: Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889.
 * Oil discovered.
 * Bakersfield (Southern Pacific station) opens.

20th century

 * 1904 – Beale Memorial Clock Tower built.
 * 1907 – The Bakersfield Californian newspaper in publication.
 * 1910 – Kern becomes part of Bakersfield.
 * 1921 – Central Park established.
 * 1928 – Kern County Chamber of Commerce Building and Padre Hotel constructed.
 * 1929 – Hart Park opens.
 * 1930 – Fox Theater in business.
 * 1945 – Kern County Museum opens.
 * 1952 –
 * July 21 – The 7.3 Kern County earthquake affected the southern San Joaquin Valley with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), killing 12 and injuring hundreds in the region.
 * August 22 – A 5.8 aftershock affected Bakersfield with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), killing two and causing an additional $10 million in damage.
 * 1954 – Bakersfield City Hall built.
 * 1955 – Memorial Stadium opens.
 * 1961 – Sister city relationship established with Wakayama, Japan.
 * 1962 – Bakersfield News Bulletin begins publication.
 * 1963 – Crest Drive-In cinema in business.
 * 1964 – Goodwill thrift shop in business.
 * 1965 – Community Action Partnership of Kern established.
 * 1976 – Bakersfield Department of Water Resources established.
 * 1977
 * December: Great Bakersfield Dust Storm of 1977.
 * Mesa Marin Raceway opens.
 * 1980 – California Living Museum (zoo) founded.
 * 1983 – County Food Bank established.
 * 1990
 * Hindu Temple of Kern County founded.
 * Population: 174,820.
 * 1996 – Buck Owens Crystal Palace (music hall) opens.
 * 2000
 * Bakersfield (Amtrak station) opens.
 * Population: 247,057.

21st century

 * 2001 – Harvey Hall becomes mayor.
 * 2006 – River Walk Park opens.
 * 2007
 * Kern Veterans Memorial unveiled.
 * Kevin McCarthy becomes U.S. representative for California's 22nd congressional district.
 * 2009
 * Mill Creek linear park opens.
 * Bakersfield 16 Cinema in business.
 * 2013 – Kern County Raceway Park opens.