Baker Street Branch Celebrating 100 Years
By Nick Fequiere
When the Baker Street Library in downtown Bakersfield first opened in 1915, the Morning Echo paper referred to it as “a monument to the civic progress and culture of Bakersfield.” That statement still rings true to this day, 100 years later. Many Kern County residents grew up making regular visits to this library and making memories there that would last a lifetime.
The Baker Street Library has enjoyed a long and storied history and will be celebrating its 100 year anniversary on Saturday, the ninth of May. The building took roughly two years to finish, from approval for its construction to its physical erection and cost about $26,000.
Although the library was opened on July 8th, the celebration is taking place this month in order to avoid the extreme summer heat. As much as Saturday’s event will be a birthday celebration, it will be a time to remember a national landmark and a toast to Baker Street Library’s survival over the past century. The structure has withstood budget cuts and the Kern County earthquake of 1952. The library was even closed at one point in its long history. Despite all of this, the building is still standing and still serving thousands of residents each year.
This Saturday will see Kern County residents from far and wide visit Baker Street to partake in the festivities from 12 PM to 3 PM. There will be activities and all manner of fun events for children. The best part? It’s all free for the community. Here’s to another 100 years.