The herald., 1894-01-01

since the frat settlement of the place,
and Bakersfield now challenges COM
rison with any other CITY in the state.
The fact that the churches and schools
are numerous and well attended, and
that all the prominent freternal organi-
cations have strong Societies, testities to
the intelligence OF the community and
its desirability as q place of residence or
business. The school buildings are up
to the best standard, and the new one, a
fine brick structure, ie one OF the hand
soonest in the state.
It's geographical position is such that
Bakersfield must always be the center OF
the trade for q large and thickly settled
community. and no possible contingency
can deprive it of its prominence.
When the railroad was extended to
the vicinity of Bakersfield, topograph-
ical reasons caused the line to be run at
a distance of q mile northeast OF the
center of that town. A station was
built at convenient point, just south
Of the Kern river crossing, and it was at
frat called Sumner. Subsequently this
was changed to East Bakerstield, but
quite recently, the population having
increased through the removal OF the
railroad shops and headquarters to this
point, it was voted to incorporate under
the name of Kern.
The people of this place are of pro-
gressive class, and have commenced
with vim to carry out various public en-
terprises. The extension of the east
side canal through this section last year
has had good effect upon the place,
and will aid materially in its growth.
The railroad depot ia one of the finest
in the etate, while the shops and round
houses are extensive structures OF brick.
There are number OF good stores, ho-
tells, etc., and newspaper, the Stand
ard, which has been established here
for but short time, yet has taken an
active part in building up the COM
munity.
An electric railroad is projected be-
tween Kern and Bakersfield, which will
aid materially in building up the short
distance between the two towns and
make them practically one.
The Asphalto branch, or. as it is
called, the Bakersfield and San Miguel
railroad, has its junction with the main
line here. A refinery is in operation for
handling the product OF the oil and as-
phslt springs, while several large ware
houses sre constantly utilized in hand
ling the products of the valley, which
are b brought here for shipment.
the first town which the southwark
bound traveller reaches in Kern county is
Delano and a thriving, prosperous aud
promising town it is, too. When the
railroad was built through the valley in
1875 the only settlements in this section
were few scattering sheep ranches,
and for the accommodation of the wool
shippers q station was established here
and named DelRno.
1t requires some time for the capabili-
ties of the coil of this part of the county
to be demonstrated, but when that was
done settlement increased rapidly, and
Delano soon became what it is now-the
second wheat shipping point in the
county and the first in wool exports.
At first grain was the chief crop, but,
after it had been shown that artesian
water could be obtained here, it was not
lGng before irrigation was commenced
and orchards and vineyards were then
planted.
The development ofthe adjacent coun-
try caused a steady and substantial
growth in the town, which is well sup
piled with brick business buildings and
all the appurtenancee of growing and
prosperous place.
There are five general storee in Delano,
two drug stores. livery stables and other
business establishments. A good weekly
paper-The Courier-is supported and
does excellent work in attracting settlers
to the adjacent country and in building
up the town.
There can be no doubt but Dslano
will be the principal city in northern
Kern county, and with the completion
of extensive irrigation enterprises un-
der way in this vicinity it must enjoy q
rapid and permanent growth.
Alter leaving Bakersfield the rail-
road follows the border OF the valley q
few miles, and then strikes into the
heart of the mountain range to the
southeast. 1t passes through several
small stations, such as Wade, Pamps,
Caliente and Keene, each of which is
the shipping point for considerable
territory. At Caliente the stage line to
Havilah, Kernville and other mountain
settlements in the eastern part of the
county takes its departure.
Then the famous loop is passed,
where the railroad crosses itself in
ascendingAhe mountain, and soon an
extensive elevated plateau or valley ia
found, in the midst of which is situated
the fourshing town Of Tehachapi.
This is really one OF the oldest settle
ments in the county, having been estab-
lished first something like 80 years ago
at the time the silver-mining excite.
ment first swept over this part of the
state. When the railroad iwas built
through hers in 1876, new town wat
built on it's line and the old place was
abandoned. The valley contains severe
thousand acres of highly fertile land
which is largely devoted to grain grow
ing, immense crops of wheat and barley
being produced. The hardy deeiduouI
fruita thrive in this valley, and goot
success mas attended their cultivation.
Some distancs beyond Tehachapi the
railroad -descends from its elevated posi
tion on the mountain plateau and passe
out into the Antelope valley. Here il
situated the town of Mojave, which il
the point of junction with the Atchison
Topeka and Santa Fe system, and ais,
the chipping point for considerable terri
tory both to the east and west. A stag
line runs from here to Keeler, in Iny,
county, and in times past much ireigh
was hauled to and from the bsrax snc
other mines in that region. just a
present Mojave 10 the scene of consider
able excitement on account OF the dis
covery on the desert several miles to tn
northeast of this point, OF some promis
ing mines OF gold gravel, which hav
produced good results and promise t
yield much wealth. This is the neares
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