The Bakersfield Sign

Phone number is not accurate. I've already reported the number as such to Google, but they have yet to take the phone number down.

Have been going back in time this week. After being gone almost 30 years alot has changed. Some good, some not. Life goes on. Remember the past, live for the futurenBakersfield was a Great place to grow up.

The Bakersfield Sign (also known as the Bakersfield Neon Arch) is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bakersfield, California. It is located over Sillect Avenue, where the street intersects with Buck Owens Boulevard, to the northwest of Downtown Bakersfield. The sign can be seen from State Route 99 (Golden State Freeway) and is just past the freeway off-ramp. It is also next to the Buck Owens Crystal Palace.nnThe sign was originally constructed in 1949 and was over Union Avenue, just south of California Avenue. That road was a part of the Golden State Highway (US 99), which was the main connector between Northern and Southern California by the San Joaquin Valley. The Bakersfield Inn wanted to expand across the street. The sign was constructed as a footbridge to connect the two halves of the hotel.nnThe construction of the sign also served another purpose. Most of the Central Valley communities along US 99 had an arched sign spanning the highway to welcome drivers to the towns and cities that they were entering. The Bakersfield sign became the arched sign for the city.nnUnfortunately, the old sign had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the only components that could be saved were the blue porcelain letters. By rebuilding the sign and using what original components could be salvaged, it was again visible to the important Golden State Highway route.

Awesome photo opportunity. A true piece of Bakersfield history.

A simple place to stop by.