Kern County Courthouse Bakersfield, California

Completed - 1959 Architect - Ernest L. McCoy Photos: Robert Deering 12/27/2006

COUNTY ORGANIZED: 1866 COUNTY NAMED FOR:  The county derives its name from the Kern River, which was named for Edward Kern, cartographer for General John C. Frémont's 1845 expedition, which crossed Walker Pass. COUNTY SEAT NAMED FOR: Thomas Baker, a lawyer and former Colonel in the militia of Ohio, his home state.  Baker moved to the banks of the Kern River in 1863, at what become known as Baker’s Field, which became a stopover for travelers.  By 1870, with a population of 600, what was now known as Bakersfield was becoming the principal town in Kern County. COURTHOUSES: 1867 in Havilah;  1876, 1912, and 1959 in Bakersfield.  STANDING:  1867 Courthouse in Havilah and 1959 Courthouse in Bakersfield.