An Occasional Series
Most stories dated between 2001 and August 2006 appeared in print in the Blackboard, an alternative monthly tabloid once published in Bakersfield, California. Other articles have appeared in Bakersfield Magazine, Kern County Historical Society's Quarterly and their Grapevine, and in publications of the Kern County Genealogical Society and the Tulare County Historical Society.
The Kern County Library is our university of the people and the researcher's first stop for local history. Although some stories here lack footnotes, I can provide documentation upon request. Author Lynn Hay Rudy allows me to access her Bakersfield and Kern County historical database, and I continue to add to my own collection of early newspaper citations. Although I've copyrighted these articles, teachers may use them at no cost for their classroom needs. (Other users, please inquire.) E-mail: ggia igalaxy.net. Please include "Historic Bakersfield" in the Subject Line.
1905-1933 - Mme. Brignuady in the Tenderloin ver 1
This paper documents the long-term, cooperative relationship among the Kern County Board of Supervisors, the Bakersfield City Council, and institutionalized prostitution from 1905 to 1933. (revision 3)1892-Bakersfield's New Protest Newspaper
An underground newspaper from 1892 skewers the Kern County Board of Supervisors2008 - Interview with Mrs. and Mrs. Jerry Sudarsky, ver 2
Mr. Sudarsky attributes his great success to perserverance, but other important factors were family and unwavering vision.1900-1903 - Kern County Schools
50+ Pupils Per Teacher1918 --Formula Advised by the School Nurse
No nickle for lunch.1937-1963 - Clayton Fannin, Sixteenth Name on the Wall. ver 2
Kern County's first soldier to die in Vietnam1920-1930 - East Bakersfied and Its Schools
Ice houses and early Washington and Williams Schools1939--Ban and Protest: The Grapes of Wrath
Average citizens protest Kern County Supervisors' ban on Grapes of Wrath1889-1903 - Corporal Punishment in Kern County Schools, Parts I & II
School enforcers R.E. Corinn and C-Cube1869-1910 - Notes on Our Early Public Schools
The discovery of oil changes the school system.1907 - Greeks Die on the Tehachapi Road, ver 3
After the head-on train collision, Greeks attacked the crew.1920--1945 Laura E. Settle vs.Teacher Poverty (ver. 2)
It's the late 1920s. A retired teacher battles with Sacramento.1850-1925--Henry A. Jastro, a History and Genealogy, ver 9
A man might as well try to climb straight up the side of a seven-story building as challenge Henry A. Jastro.1893--Bakersfield Race Riot, ver 3
When the Govenor activated Bakersfield's National Guard.1872-1875--Bakersfield Breweries, Chap I (ver.5)
On discovering Bakersfield's first brewery.1875-1899--Bakersfield Breweries, Chap II (ver.5)
Beer giants of Los Angeles and San Francisco drive out local brewing.1899-1913, Bakersfield Breweries, Chap III (Ver.3)
A false start, then a new brewery after 20 years.1912--The $20,000 Gold Heist
Kern County's first train robbery.1896--Bicycling California
Beal and Baker had some interesting challenges ahead of them in their 1896 ride. They even rode into Mexico.1890--Tarred & Feathered
The local vigilantes sometimes went too far1910--Chinese Boycott of Hawthorne School
What chance did a few partents have against 60 years of history?1890-Rabbit Drives and The Octopus
After all the killing, they had a nice barbecue1822--El Camino Viejo a Los Angeles
Genealogy takes apart a romatic tale from 1822 California...and asks, "Did it happen?"1935--Carlyle Nelson at the Mandarin Night Club
Bakersfield first Chinese NightClub, and recollections of musician Carlyle Nelson1919-1955 --Dorms at BHS (ver5)
Fourteen year-olds leave home to go to high school1870-1960: Underground Bakersfield, ver 4
A History of Bakersfield's tunnels1915 & 1976--Liberty Bells
Our patriotism when the original Liberty Bell came to Bakersfield1879--Lynching, a Bakersfield Legacy. ver. 4
The Kern County Weekly Courier got more than it wanted--two brothers lynched in County jail1870-1956 --What Happened to Bakersfield's Old Chinese Cemetery? ver.7
How a cemetery disappeared.1897--Corbett-Fitzsimmons
Bakersfield's first wide-screen moving picture show included a world championship, heavy-weight fight.1923--Raid on the Taft Buckhorn
The Buckhorn was a speakeasy fortress. How could the Sheriff get in?1944-Working for the SP, ver2
The SP was a good employer--when it needed you1923--Unsolved Murder at Mill Ditch
A nameless gravestone at Union Cemetery recalls the unsolved murder of a mother and child1942--John Alexander and USS Northampton
The military life of a Porterville patriot and his fated ship1936-1955--The Crystal Inn and El Adobe Nightclubs, ver4
Two famous nightspots on Union Avenue and the Restituto family that built them1940-2004--Pete Giovannetti's Cafe
About that little restaurant on F Street by the tracks1934--Vincent Clerou's Bicycle Shop. ver 2
Vincent Clerou, a second-generation French businessman and Bakersfield institution2003--Following Spirits in Canyon Country
Take a one day trip through Kern Canyon and Walker Basin, and come back on 581915--Lions of the Kern County Jail
Tale of the Lost Bakersfield Lion Statues1912--Estrada's Spanish Kitchen--The Early Years
A Visalia institution built by a widow and her 10 childrenMuch More Two
The days when you could learn a job in high school
Gilbert Gia was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. He retired from the Bakersfield City School District in 2002 and turned his attention to local history.